As the Met Office names the first storm of the autumn, the ABI has issued advice to homeowners and businesses on how to prepare and what to do if they need to make a claim.

With strong winds and heavy rain expected across much of the UK, the ABI is encouraging people to:

• Keep a close eye on weather warnings, and follow advice from the Met Office, the Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Natural Resources Wales and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.  
• Where possible, store items that can easily be blown away and cause damage, like trampolines and garden furniture, inside, or make sure they’re secure.  
• Have contact details of your home insurer to hand, along with other emergency contact numbers for your utility providers and the local authority. 
• Keeping your property well maintained is a key part of a home insurance policy. If it’s safe to do so before the storm hits, clearing gutters, securing roof tiles, fixing any leaks, and repairing cracks in doors and windows can help limit physical damage.
• If it’s safe to do so before the storm arrives, check nearby trees and safely remove any loose or overhanging branches - if the tree isn’t on your land, contact the owner.
• Take a look at your insurance policy to check for anything that may not be covered, such as damage to fences or garden furniture, which may not be included as standard in most policies.

Signing up to flood alerts can help keep you prepared if flooding is expected. If you get a warning that there is a risk of flooding in your area, you should:

• Assemble a flood kit containing your mobile phone and chargers, contact telephone numbers, any current medication, torch, battery, radio, insurance policy details, rubber gloves, wet wipes, hand cleaning gel, first aid kit and bottled water.   
• Move valuable, sentimental or essential items upstairs or to a high place and, if it is safe to do so, consider moving your car to an area less likely to flood.   
• Keep your pets safe and away from any flooding.   
• Fit any property level resilience measures where possible such as flood gates or air brick covers.   

If your property suffers any damage from Storm Amy or any flooding, rest assured that this is what your insurance is there for. You should:

• Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Most will have 24-hour emergency helplines to ensure you get advice on what to do and arrange repairs as quickly as is possible. They can also make emergency payments if necessary.   
• If necessary, arrange temporary emergency repairs to stop any damage getting worse, but speak to your insurer first.  
• If you have to arrange emergency repairs yourself, tell your insurer and keep any receipts, as this will form part of your claim.   
• Do not be in a rush to throw away damaged items, unless they are a danger to health, as these may be able to be repaired or restored. Your insurer will be able to advise.  
• If your home is uninhabitable while repairs are being carried out your insurer will arrange for, and pay the cost of, any alternative temporary accommodation you may need in line with your policy.   
• If your home is flooded, ask your insurer if you are eligible for Build Back Better which can help to make your home more resilient to future flooding.

Commercial polices will cover damage to premises and stock in line with your policy. Business interruption cover (which may be included or purchased separately) will cover additional trading costs, such as hiring temporary alternative trading premises if necessary. 

With the first named storm of the autumn on its way, people will understandably be concerned about the disruption and damage it could bring. Insurers are braced for bad weather at any time and will be on hand to support their customers throughout the claims process.

Taking some simple, precautionary steps before Storm Amy arrives could also help prevent or limit the damage you may face. Store away anything in your garden that could easily fly away and cause damage to your property or someone else’s, such as trampolines, furniture or bins. If it’s safe to do so, checking your property for anything that might need fixing or reinforcing could also help ease the claims process should you need to make one. Should your property or vehicle be affected, contact your insurer as soon as possible for advice and support.

Louise Clark

General Insurance Policy Manager

Read our full guidance on coping with storm damage here, and our guide to recovering from a flood and what to expect from your insurer can be found here.