Sever weather warning: are you covered ?

Most home insurance will cover flood and storm damage. As a minimum you should have buildings insurance which covers you against the costs of repairing, or in extreme cases rebuilding your home, but you would be wise to also take out contents insurance to protect your belongings.

Even if your home and contents are insured, flood or storm damage can be very unpleasant and while you may be able to purchase new goods, items of sentimental value will be irreplaceable. To reduce the chances of damage, make sure that your home is well maintained. To prevent leaks check your roof for missing tiles and make sure gutters are clear of dead leaves. Cut back overhanging or dead branches which could come down in high winds and cause damage.

Back up your computer regularly, because lightning strikes can cause electricity surges that may damage your computer and other electrical appliances. Leaks and floods can also damage your hard drive and electrical equipment. Even if you replace the computer, important files like family photographs will be lost. In a thunderstorm, unplug electrical appliances, telephones and computers.

If you hear of a weather warning and you are concerned about flooding, then you should move any precious items, rugs, carpets and furniture upstairs if possible. Protect your important documents such as your insurance documents by placing them in a watertight container. Some things may be too large or too heavy to move, like your washing machine, but if possible you should raise these up onto bricks to try to keep them away from the water.

Be prepared for the potential after effects by looking out your first aid kit, a battery operated radio, bottles of water and non-perishable food, and keep your pets inside.

If you have been unlucky enough to suffer serious flood or storm damage, the cost of alternative accommodation may be included in your home insurance policy, although very cheap policies are less likely include this. Consider your needs carefully when you buy your home insurance policy and dont just automatically go for the cheapest. It may be worth paying a slightly higher premium to make sure you have the financial protection you would need if your home and belongings were badly damaged.

Call your insurance company as soon as possible if your house or belongings are damaged by storm or flood, and wait to throw away damaged goods because if the insurance company thinks they can repair them they might not pay you to replace them. If it is too inconvenient or dangerous to keep damaged items, then take photographs as proof of thier condition before you dispose of them.

Things to look for in a good home insurance policy include the cleaning, repair or replacement of damaged items, including the physical structure of your home. It is worth thinking about where you would like if your house was made uninhabitable and think about cover for the cost of alternative accommodation. Make sure you do not underestimate the value of your belongings or property, and remember to keep an inventory with receipts so that you can prove your losses if the worst should happen.

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