Insurance advice for flood victims

Torrential rain is forecast for parts of northern and central England with some areas expected to receive up to one month’s rainfall in just 24 hours.

If you are affected, it is important to realise that flooding is covered as standard in both home and car insurance policies. Costs incurred as a result of flooding, such as paying for temporary alternative accommodation will be covered by your home insurance policy.

Keep an eye on the local weather forecast and if you see that heavy rain is forecast for where you live then there are precautions you can take such as moving valuable items upstairs, raising furniture downstairs onto bricks above ground level and sealing important documents in water-proof bags.

If you are affected you should contact your insurer as soon as possible and leave your contact details with them. If possible, start identifying damaged items and take pictures of them if you can. This will help insurers assess the damage and should speed up your claim.

If you can, try and life any items to a higher position, out of standing water. This will help reduce damage and stop more water soaking into your property.

Insurance companies are bracing themselves for extra claims and say they are ready to help with extra staff to advise on what to do if policy-holders get flooded.

Carole Gallagher, head of property claims at Aviva, said: "Getting out to customers will be the priority.

"Once we have assessed any damage we will be arranging drying equipment for those properties that need it and for those people who can't remain in their homes we will make arrangements for alternative accommodation.

"And where necessary we will be making emergency payments to customers to pay for the essentials like baby food, toiletries and emergency clothing."

Steve Maddock, managing director of claims at Direct Line, said: "We take the current severe weather and flooding situation extremely seriously, and have put our emergency action plans into place. We have highly experienced people on the ground ready to provide assistance to homes and businesses in the areas that could be hit by flooding.”