A comparison website is warning owners to check whether their insurance policies cover damage from extreme weather events such as the upcoming Storm Christoph.
Yellow and amber weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for much of central and northern England for today and Thursday, during which an estimated two months worth of rain is scheduled to fall in 36 hours.
Large areas of already saturated land and melting snow will push up river levels and increase flood risks and in response The Environment Agency has issued more than 120 flood warnings.
Now Quotezone is warning that some policies may be invalidated if an investment property is damaged by flooding, but the landlord has not previously logged it as being a flood risk: not all policies have this expectation, but some do.
“If your house is located within 400 metres of a river, stream or coastline, you will need to have informed your insurance provider. Even if you’ve never experienced flooding yourself, your house could be classed as a ‘flood-risk property’” says the comparison site.
Many insurance providers do take anti-flood doors and other permanent flood defence features into account when calculating insurance premiums, provided they meet the appropriate industry standards, have been installed by an industry professional and have been appropriately maintained.
“With home insurance it’s always best to be honest with your provider, use the online flood map tool if you’re unsure of the exact distance to nearby rivers and double check your home for any potential issues especially in relation to the colder, wetter weather, such as added insulation for pipes” says Greg Wilson, founder of Quotezone.
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Of course it will. (Reference to heading). Lots of claims mean higher premiums next time round. It's the way insurance works.
We used to have a collective insurance with our local landlord assoc, but as certain landlords were having multiple claims the premiums increased, there is no point in claiming for every little thing where they can be rectified simply and cheaply.
I don't agree David. Claims push up premiums for those making them but not for those with a healthy no claim history whom insurance companies are keen to recruit as customers.
I agree with Andrew and avoid making claims where I can deal with the problem myself, regarding insurance as protection against life changing calamities only.
I have never paid for contents or appliance or accidental damage cover etc. and reckon I have saved around £30,000 in premium costs avoided since I got married nearly 50 years ago.
I pay under £600 in total every year to insure the two expensive houses and two nice cars I use privately, less than I paid many years ago, because I have made no claims for many many years and shop around at every renewal.
Thanks Dave , I don’t know how us mere mortals would survive without your pearls of wisdom
George
However, as usual, he's actually mistaken!
I have never used my property insurance, damage I have had to date didn’t justify the increase in premiums I would have to face
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