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How to prepare your property for severe weather

What to do before severe weather

Getting ready for freezing temperatures

  • Protecting your water pipes can stop them from freezing and then bursting. Buy insulation from a DIY shop, and wrap it around exposed pipes. Indoor pipes should have insulation between the pipe and exterior walls.

  • Adding foam and brush seals around windows and doors can help keep drafts out and heat in. Radiator reflectors (a sheet of foil stuck behind a radiator) can also stop heat loss.

  • Have a shovel and wellies handy to clear snow from key areas. Remember that salting or gritting before bad weather arrives may stop snow and ice from settling.

  • Keep the heating on low if you're going away - it may keep your pipes from freezing. You should also check your insurance policy about your home being unoccupied. And carry out any specific safety checks mentioned.

Preparing for high winds

  • Shut and lock all windows and doors.
  • Remove any debris or loose items from outside your home while it's safe to do so.
  • If possible, put your car in a garage or avoid parking near trees and other objects that could become unstable.
  • Check where your family and any pets will be during the expected storm.
  • Be prepared for power cuts by having a torch and blanket to hand.

If your property is at risk of flooding

  • Establish an evacuation plan for your family. This will reduce the risk of injury to your loved ones and give you more time to save items of sentimental and material value.
  • If it is safe to do so, check any drains and gutters are clear of debris so rainfall can drain from your property.
  • Place valuable and electrical items in high cupboards or take them upstairs to reduce the impact of any flood damage.
  • Ensure outdoor furniture and other items likely to float away are safely restrained to reduce the risk of these items causing secondary damage or being lost.
  • If it's safe to use electrical equipment, keep up to date with the latest weather and flood warnings.
  • Store important documents, including insurance policy details and useful contact numbers, in a watertight bag in a dry accessible place.
  • Buy and fit airbrick covers and flood boards to block doorways.

Make a list of useful numbers – your insurer, your local council, the emergency services and Floodline: 0345 988 1188

If your property has been affected by severe weather

Note:

Your policy does not provide cover for fences, hedges and gates damaged by wind.

If your property has been damaged

If your property is damaged by a storm get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Our Home Emergency team can put you in touch with a skilled and reliable tradesman although this is weather condition permitting.

  • Take photographs of all parts of the home damaged as a result of storms. It may help with the settlement of claims.
  • If it's safe, use a plastic sheet or tarpaulin to temporarily repair storm-damaged roofs.

If you have added Home Emergency Cover to your policy the costs may be covered.

Even if you don’t have Home Emergency Cover, your insurance might pay for emergency repairs that need to be carried out to stop the damage getting worse.

If your property has been flooded

If your property has been flooded, contact us as soon as possible to start your claim.

  • If you need to move to alternative accommodation because your property is flooded, the cost is normally covered under your insurance policy.
  • Where possible, take photographs of the damage to your building and contents (or film it); this may help with the settlement of your claim.
  • Don't throw away possessions as items may need to be assessed.

Stay safe. Don't use electrical equipment or the gas supply until it has been checked by a qualified tradesman.

How to claim in an emergency

Important:

Home Emergency Cover claims must be reported to us by phone within 48 hours of discovery.

Claim by phone in an emergency

To start your claim, give us a call, and have your policy number to hand.

If you’ve added Home Emergency Cover to your policy, you’re covered for repairs up to £1000. If you haven’t, we can still help you get the advice and support you need, but you’ll need to pay for any repairs.

We use a company called CET to provide Home Emergency Cover, so we’re able to help if:

  • your home is unsafe or insecure
  • your home or contents are being damaged
  • you’ve lost your main source of heating, lighting or water.

During periods of extreme weather our call centres receive more calls than usual. We’ll do all we can to progress your claim quickly, but there may be increased waiting times.

Call free on 0800 145 60 70
Outside the UK: +44 121 275 40 89

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

How to claim if it’s not an emergency

Important:

Don’t claim online if it’s an emergency. Call us using the emergency number instead.

You can only make claims online for Buildings or Contents Insurance.

Claim by phone

To start your claim, give us a call, and have your policy number to hand.

During periods of extreme weather our call centres receive more calls than usual. We’ll do all we can to progress your claim quickly, but there may be increased waiting times.

Call free on 0800 145 60 60
Outside the UK: +44 121 275 40 89

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Claim online

If you make a claim online, we'll usually be in touch within 24 hours.

We might take a bit longer than this during times of high demand (like during widespread floods or storms), but we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as we can.

We'll only call between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and between 9am and 5pm Saturday.