Flood damage claims: what you need to know

We understand how disruptive flooding can be and are here to support you through the inspection and claims process. If you need to claim following damage or have an employee or customer pursuing a liability claim due to injury, we’ve listed some steps below to help you get started: 

Check for damage

Check for damage

• Keep a record of equipment and contents to speed up the purchase of replacements.
• Agree alternative premises for staff and storage, if required.
• Maintain contact lists including commercial estate agencies (in case temporary relocation is necessary) as well as builders, contractors, IT specialists etc to help fix the existing premises.
• Keep staff informed of the situation.
• Regularly update major customers and suppliers by whatever method suits the business.
• Maintain a log to note all actions taken and expenses incurred. This can assist with your insurance claim.

Making a claim

Report the damage as soon as possible – If you haven’t already, please notify us as soon as possible so we can start to process your claim and ensure a swift and fair outcome.

Gather your information – To get the ball rolling, ensure you have your policy details to hand, including your policy number. If the incident involved witnesses, i.e. in the event of a fall, collect statements and obtain any available CCTV footage to support the claim.

Document everything you can – Ensure to take lots of pictures of the damage. This will assist in identifying the extent of damage for an insurance claim down the line, as memories alone aren’t always reliable.

Keep receipts – Ensure you keep receipts for everything.

What to consider after a flooding incident

After an incident occurs, it’s a good idea to review your current risk assessments and health and safety procedures to help prevent a similar incident happening in the future. We know that making a claim can feel stressful, and risk assessments may be the last thing on your mind right now, but when you’re ready please feel free to give the team at Towergate a call to discuss our risk assessment offering, with the view to helping with future claims defensibility.

We’re here to help you better protect your business. Email Richard Barnes today or call on 077 6831 4298.

About the author

Alison Wild BCom (Hons), FMAAT, MATT, Taxation Technician is a highly respected industry professional who has been working with and advising SMEs in areas including tax, pensions, insurance and marketing for over 25 years. She is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) and also has over 20 years' experience as a residential landlord.

Consistent with our policy when giving comments and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.