Keep Home Insurance Costs Low in Flood-Risk Areas
Author: Alex Gregorybr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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With further bad weather predicted over the coming weeks, those who live in flood-risk areas must act quickly to protect their homes with suitable home insurance. However, how can they find the right cover at the right price?
During 2007 there were more than 165,000 home insurance claims for floods with companies left to cover more than ?3billion of losses. Since then home insurance providers have become increasingly conscious of flood-risk homes and penalise those deemed to live in a high-risk area with higher premiums.
If youre not sure whether or not you live in a flood-risk area then the first step is to check your location by using the Environment Agencys flood maps. This should give you a clear indication of whether or not youre being penalised by a home insurer.
Assuming you cant simply up sticks and move to another home in a low-risk area, there are steps you can take to lower your home insurance premiums – generally, these involve reducing the risk of extensive damage should a flood occur.
Firstly, make sure that important valuables and items are stored above ground level. The first inch of water that seeps into a home does the most damage so move as many of your most expensive items upstairs as possible and consider raising gas appliances and electric sockets higher up the walls.
Look into installing temporary flood barriers and consider fitting valves that will prevent sewage from flowing backwards. If you are making adjustments to your home in the future then use materials that are more flood resistant on floors and walls. Also remember to stock up on sandbags which can be placed as a barrier to stop water seeping towards your home.
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pRemember to keep your a TARGET=_new href=http://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/ rel=nofollowhome insurance/a provider informed with every step you take. If your insurer wont reward your efforts then shop around online for a TARGET=_new href=http://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/ rel=nofollowcheap home insurance/a from another provider./pbr
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