How to prepare your property for severe weather

What to do before severe weather

Preparing for high winds

Shut and lock all windows and doors
Remove any debris or loose items from outside your home while it's safe to do so
If possible, put your car in a garage or avoid parking near trees and other objects that could become unstable
Check where your family and any pets will be during the expected storm
Be prepared for power cuts by having a torch and blanket to hand

If your property is at risk of flooding

Establish an evacuation plan for your family. This will reduce the risk of injury to your loved ones and give you more time to save items of sentimental and material value
If it is safe to do so, check any drains and gutters are clear of debris so rainfall can drain from your property
Place valuable and electrical items in high cupboards or take them upstairs to reduce the impact of any flood damage
Ensure outdoor furniture and other items likely to float away are safely restrained to reduce the risk of these items causing secondary damage or being lost
If it's safe to use electrical equipment, keep up-to-date with the latest weather and flood warnings
Store important documents, including insurance policy details and useful contact numbers, in a watertight bag in a dry accessible place
Buy and fit airbrick covers and flood boards to block doorways

Make a list of useful numbers – your insurer, your local council, the emergency services and Floodline: 0345 988 1188

If your property has been affected by severe weather

Note:

Your policy does not provide cover for fences, hedges and gates damaged by wind.

If your property has been damaged

If your property is damaged by a storm please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Your insurance will usually pay for all emergency repairs that need to be carried out to stop the damage getting worse.

Our Home Emergency team can put you in touch with a skilled and reliable tradesman although this is weather condition permitting. If you have added Home Emergency Cover to your policy these costs may be covered.

Take photographs of all parts of the home damaged as a result of storms. It may help with the settlement of claims
If it's safe, use a plastic sheet or tarpaulin to temporarily repair storm-damaged roofs

If your property has been flooded

If your property has been flooded, please contact us as soon as possible to start your claim.

If you need to move to alternative accommodation because your property is flooded, the cost is normally covered under your insurance policy
Where possible, take photographs of the damage to your building and contents (or film it); this may help with the settlement of your claim
Don't throw away possessions as items may need to be assessed

Stay safe. Don't use electrical equipment or the gas supply until it has been checked by a qualified tradesman.

How to make a claim

Important:

Home Emergency Cover claims must be reported to us by phone within 48 hours of discovery.

You can only make claims online for Buildings or Contents Insurance.

Home Emergency Cover Claim

To start your claim, give us a call, and have your policy number to hand.

If you’ve added Home Emergency Cover to your policy, you’re covered for repairs up to £500. If you haven’t, we can still help you get the advice and support you need, but you’ll need to pay for any repairs.

We use a company called CET to provide Home Emergency Cover, so we’re able to help if:

your home is unsafe or insecure
your home or contents are being damaged
you’ve lost your main source of heating, lighting or water.

During periods of extreme weather our call centres receive more calls than usual. We’ll do all we can to progress your claim quickly, but there may be increased waiting times.

Call free on 0800 145 60 70
Outside the UK: +44 121 275 40 89

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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Claim by phone