The UK's largest insurer Norwich Union is encouraging homeowners to take preventative measures to help minimise flood damage ahead of heavy rain that is anticipated to hit the region this week.
Release sent to newspapers in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and West Midlands
The UK's largest insurer Norwich Union is encouraging homeowners to take preventative measures to help minimise flood damage ahead of heavy rain that is anticipated to hit the region this week.
Research from the Environment Agency shows that fewer than one in 20 people – who live or work in flood risk areas – takes any action to prepare for flooding.
However, there are steps residents can take to minimise damage to their homes and belongings, and be well prepared for the worst.
Norwich Union has developed the following advice for homeowners – but reminds them not to put themselves at risk whilst securing their home.
- Protect entrances and external doors with sandbags, if available
- Where possible, turn off gas and electricity at the mains
- Ensure you have your insurance documentation to hand with helpline numbers and other emergency contact numbers
- If it is safe to do so and you have enough time, move furniture and electrical items upstairs, and seal any delicate items in plastic bags to protect them from water damage
- Pack a small selection of dry clothes and essential toiletries, including any medicines
- If you are unable to leave your property, fill a vacuum flask with a hot drink and take items such as a torch, warm clothing, a battery-operated radio (tuned to the local station for updates) and a mobile telephone (if you have one) upstairs, until the danger has passed or help arrives. Don’t try to walk or drive through floodwater.
Chris Elliott, head of household products, Norwich Union Insurance, said: “There are simple precautions residents in Nottinghamshire can take to help minimise the damage and heartache floods can cause.
“But if people have been unlucky enough to already suffer flooding, we recommend they call their insurer’s emergency helpline or contact their broker as soon as possible.
“The sooner the damage is reported, the faster insurers can get experts into your home to assess the damage. However, it can sometimes take several months for properties to dry out and for residents to return to their homes.”
To make a claim, policyholders should call Norwich Union on 0800 012345 or 0800 222500.
Further information on floods is available at http://www.norwichuniondirect.co.uk/homedoctor or from the Environment Agency flood helpline on 0845 9881188/website www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Media contact:
Liz Kennett/David Ross at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 63/07786 526350
Notes to editors:
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer. In general insurance it is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest competitor, and has a 19 per cent share of the market.
- It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies, and Norwich Union Direct.
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on the Aviva plc website at www.aviva.com
- A selection of images is available from the Norwich Union Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN line is available for studio quality broadcast. Call the press office 08703 66 68 68
For all life & pensions media enquiries 08703 66 68 73 For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68