Stormy weather batters England and Wales
As cold weather conditions continue to threaten many households across England and Wales, Halifax Home Insurance is advising people to take precautions to protect their properties from damage.
Senior Claims Manager, Martyn Foulds, commented: “We have seen some of the worst snowy and icy conditions for decades recently, and now winter storms, heavy rain and more snow pose a considerable threat to many homes in England and Wales, particularly in southern regions. We are advising homeowners who are at risk to take steps now to reduce the risk of damage to their homes, and to monitor local news and weather regularly to keep updated on the conditions.”
According to Halifax Home Insurance, the cost of a typical claim for storm damage stands in the region of £1,000 and, where flood damage is concerned, it can reach in excess of £20,000. As a result, the company has offered some words of advice for those whose homes are at risk of flooding:
• Utilise sandbags to minimise the flow of water into the property. These should be placed outside doors, airbricks and windows.
• Turn off water, gas and electricity at the mains.
• Unplug electrical items and move these upstairs, or onto high surfaces.
• Disconnect pipes to cookers, washing machines and dishwashers in order to avoid damage to these pipes in the event of movement.
• Take as much furniture upstairs as possible, and weigh down any large items that can not be moved to prevent them from floating around and causing further damage.
• If furniture can not be relocated then empty any contents onto high surfaces.
• Move rugs and curtains upstairs or simply lift them up over curtain rods out of the way.
• Ensure that insurance policy details are to hand, along with the insurer’s telephone number, just in case a claim is necessary.
• Move invaluable and irreplaceable sentimental items, such as photographs, to a safe place.
The following advice has been offered to those whose homes have flooded:
• Prior to reconnecting water, electricity and gas mains, ensure that these have been checked by a qualified engineer.
• Be sure to dry out any appliances that have been affected by flood water, and have them inspected by a qualified electrician or CORGI registered gas engineer before use.
• Open doors and windows to dry out the property and ensure that it is bone dry before commencing redecoration.
• Contact the insurer as soon as possible in the case of any building and/or contents damage.
• Photograph any damaged items as this may assist the insurer in settling a claim.
• Retain any damaged items as the insurer may want to inspect them.
Those whose homes are at risk of storm damage are advised to take the following action:
• Ensure that all potentially perilous objects, such as garden furniture and barbeques, are secured and that all gates and outbuilding doors are closed.
• Prune low hanging branches that could otherwise cause damage during stormy weather.
• Ensure that gutters and drain pipes are clear of debris to avoid the potential for blockages and subsequent overflows.
• Make sure that all external light fittings are secure.
In the event of an emergency, Halifax Home Insurance has suggested the following measures:
• Retain an emergency kit containing items such as torches, spare bulbs and batteries, home insurance documents, emergency contact details, tinned food, warm clothing, blankets and a shovel.
• Tune into the radio for information on the weather and other emergency situations.
• If your insurance company operates an emergency 24 hour helpline, call them if necessary.
Homeowners who do not feel that their property is in a fit state to stand up to the elements may wish to invest in additional measures of protection. Where monies are not at hand to fund the work, a secured home improvement loan could be considered as a finance option. This could be utilised for a whole host of projects from re-roofing to re-doing guttering, both of which could go a significant way to ensuring that the property is watertight during troublesome storms.
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