Claims flood in
- Author: Richard Hartley
- Published: 27/06/2007
Leading property owners insurance specialist Alan Boswell Group has been inundated with claims following this week's floods affecting central and north eastern England. Worst hit have been rented properties in North Wales, Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster and Hull. So far the Alan Boswell claims team has recorded over 100 claims for residential landlords – with one case involving 20 or so properties from a single portfolio.
Claims have also been received for flood damage under a further four business insurance policies together with numerous incidents under home insurance contracts. At least one Boswell's client has lost a vehicle in the floods in Sheffield where it was submerged in water reaching as high as the steering wheel.
Alternative Accomodation
Claims manager Mark Davenport explained: "It's been pretty hectic all week but we suspect there will be lots more claims to come as many people won't have been able to notify us yet. Our priority has been to get people into alternative accommodation where their homes are uninhabitable. Many of our clients with property owners insurance have tenants that have been left homeless. They need advice on how to accommodate tenants and what they can claim for. Fortunately, our specialist landlord insurance schemes and household insurance policies automatically include this cover as a standard feature. The main problem we are having is that there's a shortage of accommodation because most of the local guesthouses and hotels are either full or have themselves been affected by flooding"
As Davenport points out, in the worst affected areas there's really very little that can be done to assess the extent of the damage to property as the water levels remain too high: "There's no way loss adjusters can look at properties in Hull or Sheffield as the premises are still inundated – up to 3 feet deep in places! It looks like it will be some weeks before a full assessment can be made."
Insurers have already mobilised large teams of adjusters and arranged for salvage and restoration teams but with the flood waters slow to recede access is proving difficult. And with such large numbers of people affected, priority will have to go to those who are most vulnerable: bungalows dwellers, the elderly and families with young children.
Davenport suggests people always contact their insurance broker to report claims as many insurer help lines are simply overloaded. "We can gather all the claim information, give advice to clients on what to do next and pass details through to the relevant insurers and loss adjusters. If we get a high volume of calls we draft in staff from other departments so you should always be able to get through to us. And we don't operate a call centre with a queuing system."
What to do if you are flooded
If your home has been flooded, there are some commonsense measures you can take:
- Turn off your electricity and gas supply at the mains.
- Do not re-use your electricity, gas or water systems until they have been checked by a suitably qualified tradesman.
- As far as possible, avoid contact with flood water which may be contaminated. Wash thoroughly after contact with flood water, debris and flood damaged property.
- Retain your damaged possessions rather than throwing them away (loss adjusters may want to see the damaged items to assess values)
- If you have lost fridge and freezer stock then dispose of the contents but keep a list of the items you through away. If you have particularly expensive items or large amounts of refrigerated goods then photographs will help in processing your claim.
- Take photographs of the damage if it is possible and practical to do so.
- If you are using a dehumidifier to dry out your property, make sure you keep doors and windows closed.
- Take professional advice on redecoration – it is essential that the property has properly dried before new finishes are applied.
- Do not lift wet carpets unless it is essential. Lifted carpets may shrink as they dry out. It may be possible to have flood damaged carpets professionally cleaned and restored in situ.
- If it's possible to salvage items and move them upstairs or away from the water then do so. You have a duty to protect your possession from damage where possible.
- If you have to move out to alternative accommodation, retain all receipts for expenses incurred so that we can recover them for you
You can get up to date flood information from the Environment Agency web site or by calling 0845 988 1188.
More Information
Alan Boswell Group operates a dedicated claims department staffed by nine fully trained handlers. The Group has a delegated claims handling facility with leading insurers for its buy-to-let insurance schemes and for home insurance. To speak to a claims handler please call 01603 218099.
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