Anyone who has been affected by flooding needs to get in touch with their home insurance company as soon as possible to make a claim, it has been advised.
This is according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which indicated that many companies have how set up 24-hour helplines to deal with the sheer number of enquiries.
"Once flood waters have receded and the damage to homes and businesses is assessed, the hard work begins," emphasised Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health.
It is the case for hundreds of homeowners that they are unable to stay in their own properties, so the ABI stresses the importance of finding alternative accommodation.
Some home insurance companies will even help arrange this, it revealed, with many flooded properties taking months to fully dry out.
It may be necessary to leave doors, windows and cupboards ajar to help speed up the drying out process, the ABI said, and heating may also need to be left on.
Redecorating should not be an initial priority, as many home insurance companies are able to advise on how best to proceed when it comes to making a property habitable again, it stressed.
"The good news is that insurers are on hand to react quickly and start the drying out and restoration process as soon as possible, and to help customers cope with life while their homes are drying out and being repaired by providing advice, support and alternative accommodation where needed," Mr Starling continued.
The ABI also stresses that people need to be practical when it comes to throwing items away; keeping any receipts, warranties and even taking photos of things can make home insurance claims much easier.
Wherever possible, people should make sure they enlist the support of their home insurance companies to recoup whatever losses they may have made.
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