5 things to do when you hear a flood alert

Flooding has impacted many parts of the UK over recent years and the frequency of floods is expected to increase due to climate change.

To help put your mind at ease, we've put together a few things to think about if you're at risk of flooding, with one easy way to remember them: 'WATER'.

W is for warm clothing

You'll need to add waterproofs, wellies, blankets and more to your flood preparation kit so you can stay cosy when the weather is bad.

A is for all-important documents

Bag them up and keep them upstairs.

T is for treasures

Move all your valuables and sentimental items to safety. Upstairs is usually best.

E is for electricity

Turn off your electricity as well as your gas and water supplies if necessary.

R is for ring your insurer

If your home is flooded, ring your insurer as soon as you can to get claims and repairs started quickly.

What happens after the flood?

Every claim is different, but your insurer should help you return your home to how it was before the flood.

The first thing to do is to remove any water. If it hasn't flowed out naturally, this is done using pumps. You'll also be given a dehumidifier as it can take weeks or even months for a property to fully dry out.

The next job is to strip out any damaged materials, from plaster to floorboards. It's all about making sure your home is still safe. Once your home is warm and dry again, you'll be issued with a drying certificate.

Reinstatements works such as plastering, decorating and painting can then begin to make your space feel homely again. This takes 8-10 weeks on average but depends on the extent of the repairs involved.

When it comes to doing repair and restorative work after a flood, some customers like to either get involved themselves or appoint a local contractor to do the work for them.

In the meantime, you may want to organise alternative accommodation, or stay with family or friends until the work is completed and your home is safe.

To learn more about how Co-op Insurance could help protect your home if a flood happens, visit our home insurance page.

If you are Co-op Insurance customer and you need to make a claim, we are here to help. Make a claim.