More than a thousand households have been flooded due to recent heavy rain and high winds brought by Storm Henk, with motor vehicles also damaged by the terrible weather.
The Environment Agency said every river in England is running high, with some at their highest level on record. This week’s heavy rain has led to 649 flood warnings across the UK.
A flooded home or a water-damaged car can be a stressful and worrying experience for the owner.
Here is your guide to insurance compensation for flooded cars, houses and caravans.
Waterlogged: Insurers say flood damage to cars and houses should be reported immediately
Specialist loss adjuster Woodgate and Clark warned this week that the floods are likely to cause a rise in insurance claims.
Claiming for a flooded home
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) trade body says that damage caused by floods and storms are covered by most standard home insurance and commercial business policies.
Louise Clark, general insurance policy adviser at the ABI, said: ‘Insurers expect bad weather to strike at any time and events such as this are exactly what your insurance is for.
‘Their priority right now is to help any affected customers recover as quickly as possible. If you have been affected by flooding, contact your insurer as soon as you can and they will be able to offer help and advice.’
If your home has been flooded, the ABI’s advice is to contact your insurer as soon as possible.
A loss adjuster, appointed by your insurer, will then contact you. The loss adjuster will arrange for your home to be cleaned and stripped out
The property will be disinfected and dried out, which could take weeks or months, with some properties taking a year or more.
Your insurer will arrange for any repair work that is required and then inform you when it is safe to move back home.
Claiming for storm damage to your home
If you have suffered storm damage to your home, the ABI’s advice is to:
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible
- If necessary, arrange temporary emergency repairs to stop any damage getting worse, but speak to your insurer first
- If you have to arrange emergency repairs yourself, tell your insurer and keep any receipts, as this will form part of your claim
- Do not be in a rush to throw away damaged items, unless they are a danger to health, as these may be able to be repaired or restored. Your insurer will advise
- If your home is uninhabitable while repairs are being carried out your insurer may be able to pay for you to stay in temporary accommodation, depending on your policy
Claiming for a flooded car
The ABI said that comprehensive motor insurance policies mostly do cover flood damage to cars and vans.
However, even comprehensive car cover will not pay out for all forms of water ingress to vehicles.
Troubled waters: Many vehicles have suffered damage from flooding caused by Storm Henk
Most car insurance deals will cover unavoidable water damage, such as if rising river levels swamp a parked vehicle.
But they will not pay out for avoidable damage, for example if you ruin your car by driving it into water that was deeper than you thought.
Insurance price comparison website Go Compare said: ‘Insurance will only pay out for “unavoidable’ damage” – so if you deliberately drive through flood water, you may not be covered.’
If your car is damaged by flood water, contact your insurers as soon as possible.
They will probably pay for a mechanic to visit and advise on the next steps.
If you have belongings in a flooded car, your standard car insurance deal may not pay for damage to them unless it includes personal possessions cover.
Many caravans have also been damaged by high water levels.
Karen Stacey, managing director of caravan insurer Compass, said: ‘The first storm of 2024, Storm Henk, has caused significant flood damage to holiday caravans across the UK.
‘Our stats show that storm and flood damage make up 32 per cent of insurance claims, and in one such instance, an entire static caravan was destroyed during a storm, resulting in a £148,590 claim.
‘In flood-prone areas, holiday home owners may need to check that their policy does not have flood-related restrictions or requirements, such as fitting a floatation device.
‘While floods cannot be predicted or prevented entirely, having a comprehensive insurance policy in place can help avoid being left out of pocket should the worst happen.’
