Press Release

North Yorkshire Floods - insurance advice

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) advises people hit by the recent flooding in North Yorkshire that:

 

-         They should contact their household insurer as soon as possible. Many offer 24-hour emergency helplines, to arrange for repairs to be carried out as quickly as possible.

-         Most household policies will cover the cost of alternative accommodation (up to a specified limit), if the property is uninhabitable

-         Fully comprehensive motor policies will cover flood damage.

-         In addition to being covered for flood damage, many businesses may have business interruption cover, which will pay the cost of alternative accommodation while the business premises are uninhabitable.

 

As this has been a fairly localised incident, insurers have been able to make contact with affected policyholders to get claims moving as quickly as possible. In many areas, loss adjusters have been able to get to the affected properties to begin the cleaning up process, and, where needed, arrange for alternative accommodation.

 

While the insured damage will run into millions of pounds, this is exactly the type of unforeseen (a month’s rainfall – 70mm – fell on the top of the nearby North York Moors in under three hours) event insurance is designed to protect against financially.

 

To be best prepared against the risk of future heavy rainfall, homeowners should:

 

-         Listen to local radio and the Environment Agency Floodline

( 0845 988 1188 ) for up-to-date information.

-         Keep important contact details, such as insurance documents, in

a waterproof plastic bag.

-         If safe and practical to do so, move property to higher floors.

Be prepared to turn of the gas, electricity, and water at the mains.

 

With extreme weather incidents predicted to increase, the ABI will shortly (29 June) be publishing research findings assessing the financial impact of climate change.