The unseasonably mild winter weather in November and December means that the New Year gales and heavy rain have caught many people unprepared, causing widespread damage to property and cars.
Insurers have been deluged with claims - Co-operative Insurance said it received more claims on January 3 than it would usually receive in the whole of the month as a result of the storms.
If you have so far escaped unscathed, then you should take action now to prepare yourself against any further bad winter weather.
Peter Harrison, insurance expert at MoneySupermarket.com said;
"2012 is already making its mark with severe weather and flood warnings being issued across the UK. Many people stand to be affected by heavy storms and gales and I urge anyone who has been, or is likely to be, affected by this severe weather to act now.
"Weather alerts serve as a timely reminder, especially to those living in flood risk areas, to be prepared and to ensure you are fully protected for every eventuality."
Here are some top tips on how to protect your home and what to do if your property suffers storm damage...
Check your cover
Examine the details of your buildings and contents insurance policies, especially the limits and excesses on both. You should also keep your policy number to hand.
Mr Harrison said: "It pays to make sure that the quality of your insurance is high so you won't be left out of pocket if you have to make a claim.
"If you are unfortunate enough to be flooded, you may need to claim on both your contents and buildings policies. Fixtures such as fireplaces and electric lights, which you may have thought would be covered under a buildings policy, will usually be classified as contents.
"Those at risk from the flooding should take expensive portable items upstairs or somewhere else dry. Your insurer will expect you to make attempts to minimise your claim."
"If you do live in a flood risk area then stock up on sandbags - buy in flood boards and sandbags to block doorways with, as these will help you fight the flooding and protect your home.
"Items of sentimental value, such as photos, should be packed in waterproof bags and put somewhere safe, ideally upstairs. No amount of insurance money can bring these back, so put them out of harm's way.
"Keep informed too. Watch the weather forecast and check the Met Office to make sure you're up-to-date on any threats."
Maintain your property
If your roof has any loose tiles, secure these as soon as possible. You should also check outside drains are clear and aren't blocked.
A spokesman for Aviva said: "Do bear in mind an insurance policy is not a maintenance policy - most companies expect your home to be in reasonable condition, wear and tear isn't covered.
Fences, gates and hedges that have blown down as a direct result of high winds are also generally excluded."
If your property suffers storm damage
Contact your insurer as soon as possible and take action to minimise any further damage if possible, although never do anything which is dangerous.
Stuart Curson, head of Direct Line home insurance, said: "Nearly half of all weather related claims are due to roof damage. However, personal safety is paramount and if it is not safe to do so, do not attempt even temporary repairs.
"Damage to gates, garage and shed doors are also common claims. Keep these closed and locked when not in use. This will not only prevent the wind blowing them off the hinges, it is good practice to keep your property secure to avoid an opportunist burglary."
Take pictures of any damage as soon as possible as this could provide useful evidence for your insurer in the event of a claim. Don't rush in and arrange repairs until you have confirmed your insurance company will cover the cost.
They may have their own contractors, or will often require you to get at least two or three quotes before builders can proceed with the work. They may also want to send out a loss adjustor to assess the damage.
Remember too that if you do need to make a claim, your home insurance premiums will increase the following year, so if the cost of repairs is only going to be minimal, you may want to consider footing the bill yourself.
Please note: Any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
Rate This Article
Click on a star to rate this article.
