What to do before, during and after a flood

A flood can completely devastate a home, as well as the lives of those involved. With many homes in the UK at risk from flooding, it is important to know what you should do if the worst were to happen. Here is how to prepare for a flood and what to do if a flood affects your home.

What to do before a flood

It’s always a good idea to have home insurance, no matter where you live. Almost all home insurance policies cover flooding but check your policy to make sure it does. This is especially true if you live in an area with a higher risk of floods. You can check your areas current risk on the government’s flood warning system.

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, make sure you keep up to date with the flood alerts. Make sure everybody in the household is aware of the escape routes and keep important documents, such as emergency contact numbers and your home insurance details, in a safe place that you can access easily. You may also want to take photos of your home so you can use them as evidence if you ever have to make an insurance claim for flooding.

What to do during a flood

If the worst were to happen and a flood hit your home, the most important thing is safety. As long as it’s safe to do so, make sure everybody, including any pets, can evacuate the building as quickly as possible. As with any emergency situation, try to stay as calm as possible and get everybody to a safe place as soon as you can. Don’t be tempted to walk, run or swim through the floodwater; avoid coming into contact with the floodwater if you can and wash yourself and your clothes with clean water as soon as you can if you do.

If a flood is on its way and you have time, turn off all electricity and lock your windows and doors to protect your home as best you can. If you need to leave your home, your local council should be able to help you find somewhere to stay until you can return to your home.

What to do after a flood

If you experience a flood in your home, you’ll probably need to make a claim on your home insurance. Contact your home insurance provider as soon as possible to initiate a claim and make sure you keep any photos or other evidence you have.

If it’s safe to go back into your house, avoid using tap water until you are told by officials it’s safe to do so, and throw away any food that could have been contaminated by the floodwater. When claiming on your insurance, it’s best to photograph everything as it is and not touch anything until you have spoken to your insurance policy provider.

Getting help after a flood

Claiming on your home insurance for a flood can be a long and complicated process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. A Loss Assessor, such as Morgan Clark, can handle every step of your flood insurance claim so you can focus on getting your life back to normal. We know that experiencing a flood in your home is already stressful and emotional enough, so we’ll work on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to and can get things back to normal in as little time as possible. Get in touch to find out more about how we can help.