| Now the winter months are upon us and the first | | | | your home. |
| floods of the winter have hit parts of the north west | | | | Will the insurer pay for temporary accommodation? If |
| of the country, now is a good time to dust off your | | | | your home is badly flooded it will take at least 4 |
| buildings insurance policy and ensure you have | | | | months to dry out before redecoration can start and |
| adequate cover. | | | | often a lot longer than this. Check your policy to see |
| Insurance companies are becoming very worried | | | | how long they will pay for temporary accommodation |
| about the increase in flood claims and are starting to | | | | and how much they will pay per month. Many people |
| place harsh conditions on their policy holders. | | | | are often forced to spend upwards of a year in totally |
| Here are a few things to think about. | | | | unsuitable accommodation because their policy doesn't |
| What is the excess on the policy? Ten years ago a | | | | pay out enough each month to allow a decent house. |
| normal excess for flood damage could have been as | | | | Insurers place higher premiums on houses that are in |
| low as £200 however with the concerns about | | | | areas that are prone to flooding such as coastal |
| global warming and more rainfall this low excess isn't | | | | towns or homes built on flood plains but it is worth |
| achievable without paying a very large monthly | | | | checking with the authorities to see if any flood |
| premium which is out of the reach of most but the | | | | prevention work has been carried out in your area |
| most wealthy households. If you have been with the | | | | recently that could take you out of this high risk |
| same insurer for many years it is a good idea to make | | | | category. If so, contact your insurer and ask for this to |
| sure they haven't increased your excess without you | | | | be taken into account as it could reduce your |
| realising as it will be too late if you are flooded out of | | | | premiums. |