Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips: Invaluable Winter Advice
Last Christmas, our thoughts went out to the thousands of people in the UK affected by severe flooding. Storms causing major damage to homes and businesses are becoming a common occurrence throughout the winter months. But the misery doesn’t stop after the waters recede and the clean up begins. For many months after, the task of repairing homes and offices takes place. It’s also a busy time for insurers. Analysts estimated that flooding in the North of England last December cost around £1.3 billion. The average payout for domestic customers was £50,000, but for some, who didn’t have comprehensive insurance, the months following the flood have been even harder.
Call Park Insurance now on 0117 955 6835 for a quote for water-tight insurance for your home or business.
And it’s not the just flooding that can cause watery misery for householders and businesses. Burst pipes can also cause substantial damage and are a common problem during the winter months. Whether you suffer flooding to your home or business or are left mopping up after a burst pipe, follow our guide to insuring against water damage:
Make sure your policy is ‘watertight’
The most important piece of advice for total peace of mind is to carefully go through your insurance to check exactly what you are covered for. Whilst buying your insurance online can often help you to find a cheaper price, it can also leave you unclear exactly what cover you’ve bought. If you’re unlucky, you’ll find out why the policy was so cheap when you come to make a claim and it is rejected.
At Park Insurance we will talk you through exactly what is covered by your policy and what is not. Our position as an independent broker with access to some of the UKs largest insurance providers also means we can negotiate better prices for you too – so you’ll be sure you’re getting great value for money. Call us today for a no-obligation quote.
Think about important extras
If you’re worried about what would happen if your property flooded or was severely damaged by water, make sure your insurance covers alternative accommodation. Water damage can make your home uninhabitable for many months because it’s important for your home to dry out properly before making essential repairs. Without alternative accommodation cover, you could find yourself relying on friends or paying for somewhere else to live for a long time.
Be clear what your insurance terms actually mean
‘Accidental damage’ can mean different things on different policies. If in doubt, check with your broker to make sure you have taken out the level of cover that you want.
Don’t be tempted to skimp
Water damage to your home can be distressing and extremely inconvenient. Under-insuring can make the process even harder. If you’ve not given an accurate estimate of the cost of repair and replacement, you’ll find yourself unable to claim fully. You’ll also need to watch out for ‘Indemnity’ policies. These simply require the insurer to put the policyholder back to their pre-incident position – so you won’t be able to put in a claim for a brand new kitchen if the previous units were old and in poor repair.
Take photos of contents and possessions as evidence
Proving the standard of your home furnishings and contents is easier if you have evidence. Keep receipts and take photographs that can be used by the loss adjuster.
What can I do if my insurance claim is rejected?
Taking out legal cover as an add-on to your insurance can help you to fight a dispute over a claim. You could also contact the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters or hire an independent Chartered Surveyor to mediate insurance claims.
Your insurance broker, like Park Insurance, can also help you to overturn a rejected claim. If you use a broker, check if they will represent you in the event of a claim so you will benefit from their knowledge and expertise.
Reduce costly delays to insurance payouts
Avoid delays and non-pay-outs by carefully selecting where you buy your insurance. When you buy a policy online it can be easy to focus on the best price, but you don’t always know exactly what each policy actually covers. If you only find out when you come to make a claim and it is rejected that you’ll discover that the great deal you thought you were buying is not so great after all.
Call Park Insurance now on 0117 955 6835 for a quote for water-tight insurance for your home or business.