Insurers on hand to support customers affected by flooding

The ABI is reassuring homeowners and businesses impacted by flooding in Northern Ireland that their insurers are ready to help and support customers.

Damage caused by floods is covered by most standard home insurance and commercial business policies, and comprehensive motor insurance.

Louise Clark, Manager of General Insurance Policy at the ABI, said:

"Insurers expect that bad weather can strike at any time and stand ready to help customers recover as quickly as possible. This type of situation is exactly what insurance is there for. 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."

In the event that your home is flooded, here's our six flood recovery steps:

Step 1 - Contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will advise you on arranging emergency accommodation if necessary (or any temporary alternative trading premises if you are a business with business interruption cover), the information they will need from you to support your claim, and how to go ahead with the immediate clean-up and repair process.

Step 2 - Assessing the damage and finding temporary accommodation. A loss adjuster will be appointed to assess the claim. An initial assessment of the damage will be done, the repair process explained and the options for alternative accommodation outlined. Your loss adjuster may also offer a specialist flood resilience survey to determine how to make your home more resilient to any future floods - ask your insurer if you are eligible for Build Back Better. You should expect to hear from your loss adjuster after contacting your insurer and they will get in touch if they need to arrange a visit to your home.

Step 3 - Cleaning and stripping out. Your loss adjuster will organise the cleaning and stripping out of your home. This work should start within four weeks of discussing it with your loss adjuster. If you've had property flood resilience measures previously installed e.g. water-resistant flooring or plaster, then less stripping out may be required.

Step 4 - Disinfecting and drying your home. Your insurer or loss adjuster will appoint a drying company to disinfect and dry out your home. This can take from a few weeks to several months. Your loss adjuster will give you a timetable and keep you informed.

Step 5 - Repair and reconstruction. Repair work, including any additional work to make your home more resilient to future flooding, should begin shortly after you get your drying certificate from the drying company. Your insurer or loss adjuster will also discuss with you whether you would like to design the repairs to your home to make it more resistant and resilient to future flooding, this could include raised electrical sockets, tiled floors, air brick covers, flood resilient plaster and kitchens. Your loss adjuster will appoint a builder to do the repair and reconstruction work and will keep you updated on expected timeframes.

Step 6 - Moving back into your home. Your insurer or loss adjuster will discuss with you when you can return home. Depending on how badly damaged your home is, this can be between a few weeks and a year or more after the flood.

Our guide to recovering from a flood and what to expect from your insurer can be found here.

For more information, please contact the Press Office.

About the ABI

The ABI is the definitive voice of the UK's world-leading insurance and long-term savings industry, which is the largest sector in Europe and the third largest in the world.

We represent more than 300 firms within our membership including most household names and specialist providers, providing peace of mind to customers across the UK.

Our sector is productive, inclusive and essential to the UK economy and together, we are driving change to protect and build a thriving society.

Find out more at abi.org.uk