NFU Mutual is urging home and business owners to be flood-aware as floods have hit Wales, the Midlands and the southwest of England in recent weeks, and with yellow warnings for rainfall remaining and further volatile weather predicted for the coming weeks.
According to NFU Mutual, the National Farmers’ Union rural insurance branch, the average flood claim for 2022 was over £20,000.
Rural insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, Andrew Chalk, said that while the past few years have seen a relatively low number of flood claims, this week’s heavy rainfall shows that “it is never safe to dismiss the risk of flood damage”.
“NFU Mutual urges those affected by flooding to make safety their first priority, making sure family and pets are kept away from flood water,” he said.
“If you can, move to higher parts of your property and switch electricity and gas supplies off in flooded areas,” he advised.
“Notify your insurance company immediately and request alternative accommodation if your house is no longer safe, and contact family and friends.
“Likewise, business owners should remain in contact with employees and customers to avoid unnecessary risk-taking.
“If you need to move into a different area of the house or to alternative accommodation, make sure you take prescriptions, other medicines and specialist food – like baby food – with you.
“Flooding can cause disruption such as road closure and the closure of local businesses, so take as much with you as you can.
“When it’s safe to enter the flooded area again, catalogue all damaged items for insurance claims and begin clearing and drying out the area, seeking advice from your insurance company.”
NFU Mutual and flooding
Chalk said that local agents of NFU mutual will be alert to flood warnings in their communities and will be “on hand to help”.
“It’s important you also have access to copies of your insurance documents and relevant contact details,” he said.
“If you have suffered flooding, we recommend checking whether you can rebuild with flood resilient repairs. Since 2017, NFU Mutual has offered its Flood Resilient Repair scheme to all home insurance customers.
“As part of the scheme, customers who suffer flood damage above £10,000 receive a contribution from NFU Mutual to implement repairs which will protect the property from future flooding.
“With more insurers also now offering flood resilient repairs under the government-backed Build Back Better scheme, it is worth checking if you can access extra help if you suffer a flood.”
