Insurance companies are dealing with policyholders who have been hit by the latest floods as quickly as possible the ABI (Association of British Insurers) has said.

Insurers are:

wherever possible contacting their customers in the post codes affected to see what help they can provide;

drafting in extra staff to deal with claims;

making arrangements to visit flooded properties as soon as it is safe to do so;

arranging for people to be moved into temporary accommodation where their homes are uninhabitable;

helping firms sort out alternative trading premises if they have business interruption insurance.

People who have been flooded should:

contact their home insurer for help and advice. Most will have 24 –hour
emergency helplines to deal with any emergency repairs;

if necessary, arrange for any emergency temporary repairs to stop the damage getting worse;

avoid using electricity, gas and water supplies until the all –clear is given

Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said: “Insurers already have emergency plans in place to deal with these floods, and will pull out all the stops to help policyholders. Their main priority is to arrange emergency repairs, get people into temporary accommodation where needed and visit properties as soon as they can.”