Does your home insurance cover flood and storm damage?
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Posted On :
Jul-09-2009
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Article Word Count :
532
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Most home insurance policies will cover you against the cost of flood and storm damage.
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Most home insurance policies will cover you against the cost of flood and storm damage. You should always have buildings insurance which covers you against the costs of repairing, or in the worst case, rebuilding your home, but you would be sensible to take out contents insurance as well if you wish to protect the possessions in your home.
Even if you do have home and contents insurance, flood or storm damage can be very messy and troublesome, and while you may be able to purchase new goods, you cannot replace items with sentimental value like family heirlooms. To help prevent damage from storms and floods, make sure your house is properly maintained. To avoid leaks check your roof and replace any missing or damaged tiles. Ensure that gutters are cleared of dead leaves and debris. Cut back overhanging or dead branches which could fall down in high winds and cause damage.
Back up your computer regularly, because lightning strikes can cause electricity surges that may damage your computer and other electrical appliances. Leaks and floods can also damage your hard drive and electrical equipment. Even if you replace the computer, important files like family photographs will be lost. In a thunderstorm, unplug electrical appliances, telephones and computers.
If you believe a storm or flood is likely, move precious and valuable items upstairs if possible, and put important documents including your insurance documents in a watertight container. If that is not possible, because the item is too big or too heavy such as a fridge, try to raise it up off the floor for example with bricks.
Prepare for the possible after effects of a flood or storm by getting out your first aid kit. Other useful items include a battery operated radio, bottles of water and non-perishable food. Make sure you keep your pets in the house while the warning is in place.
If you are unlucky enough to suffer serious flood or storm damage, your home insurance policy may cover the cost of alternative accommodation, but cheaper policies are unlikely to include this. Think carefully about your needs when you take out the policy, as very cheap insurance is unlikely to give you all the financial protection you may need.
Call your insurance company as soon as possible if your house or belongings are damaged by storm or flood, and wait to throw away damaged goods because if the insurance company thinks they can repair them they might not pay you to replace them. If it is too inconvenient or dangerous to keep damaged items, then take photographs as proof of thier condition before you dispose of them.
Things to look for in a good home insurance policy include the cleaning, repair or replacement of damaged items, including the physical structure of your home. It is worth thinking about where you would like if your house was made uninhabitable and think about cover for the cost of alternative accommodation. Make sure you do not underestimate the value of your belongings or property, and remember to keep an inventory with receipts so that you can prove your losses if the worst should happen.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Does your home insurance cover flood and storm damage? _1664.aspx
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Author Resource :
It only takes a few moments to get our house insurance quotes online with Kwik Fit Home Insurance.
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Keywords :
home insurance,
Category :
Finance
:
Insurance
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