If your home is at risk of flooding, here’s what you should do right now to keep yourself, your family and your property safe.
- Keep up to date with weather and flood warnings on TV and radio. You can also check wind speed, rainfall or temperature in your area on the Met Office website, or check for flooding in your area.
- Have an evacuation plan. This will reduce the risk of injury to your loved ones and give you more time to save items of sentimental and material value.
- Keep your important documents safe and dry. Store documents like insurance policies, passports, bank details and useful contact numbers in a dry place that’s easy to get to. Upstairs is best.
- Look after your tech. Place valuable and electrical items in high cupboards or take them upstairs to reduce the impact of any flood damage.
- Make a list of useful numbers you may need – your local council, the emergency services, the Environment Agency incident hotline (0800 80 70 60) and Floodline: 0345 988 1188.
If you have time before the flood hits:
- Only if it is safe to do so, check drains and gutters are clear of debris so rainfall can drain away effectively – do not put anyone at risk of injury by carrying out these checks.
- Secure garden furniture and other items likely to float away. Bring them inside or lock them in a shed if you can.
- Buy and fit air brick covers and flood boards to block doorways.
- Fully charge your mobile and all other mobiles in your home, so you can be contacted in an emergency.
If your home is flooded: stay safe
- Do not use electrical equipment or the gas supply until it has been checked by a qualified tradesman.
- If you need to move to alternative accommodation because your property is flooded, the cost is normally covered under your insurance policy, but please check this with the Claims team.
- Don’t throw away possessions without first discussing it with your Claims Adviser, as the items will need to be assessed.
How to turn off the water supply
Water stopcocks are usually found in the kitchen, under the sink. If you can’t find it there, check the front or back hallway. Make sure you know where yours is, so you can get to it in an emergency.
A stopcock looks like a tap but without an outlet spout. You’ll find it between two lengths of pipe, acting as a connector. This allows the stopcock to stop the flow of water when it is closed off.
In case of a water leak, locate your stopcock and simply turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water supply. Turn on the taps in the sinks and bathrooms to remove any water remaining in the household system.
What to do if you smell gas
Turn off the gas at the mains tap. This is usually near the gas meter and has a handle that can be turned 90 degrees.
Open doors and windows to ventilate the property.
Don't:
- Turn any power or light switches on or off.
- Light any sort of flame within the property.
- Use any appliances that could cause a spark.
How to switch off your electricity
First, find your consumer unit (also known as a fuse box). It’s a metal or plastic box with a hinged lid containing rows of switches or circuit breakers. You should find it near your electricity meter, which will be where the main electricity enters your home. The most likely places are:
- The hallway
- Under the stairs
- A cupboard near the front door
- In the kitchen
Inside the consumer unit, the mains switch will turn off all the power to the property. Look for a red switch, normally at the end of the row of circuit breakers.
Need to make a claim?
If you’re a Churchill policyholder, your safety and wellbeing are our priority. In the event of flooding or re‐flooding, let us know as soon as possible.
If you can do so safely, take photographs of the damage to your building and contents (or film it); this may help with the settlement of your claim.
During times of severe weather our phone lines get very busy. If you need to make a claim, avoid the queue by using the Churchill app or your online account. Here’s how:
- Sign into your account online or in the app
- Log your claim securely, step by step
- Save details as you go
- Add supporting evidence quickly and easily
- Manage your claim in your own time
- View repairer details and track progress
What does your home insurance cover?
You’ll need to check your policy document for full details of what you’re covered for, but here’s a general overview of what we cover (and what we don’t):
✓ Damage to your buildings caused by flood.
✓ Damage to your buildings caused by storm.
✓ Damage caused by falling trees or branches.
✓ Damage caused by falling TV aerials, radio aerials, or satellite dishes.
✓ Damage caused by water escaping from underground pipes or water tanks.
✓ If your home can’t be lived in after a valid claim, we’ll find you alternative accommodation while it’s being repaired.
We don’t cover:
✗ Loss or damage due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
✗ Damage caused to fences, gates or hedges.
✗ Damage caused by frost to outside water pipes or tanks.
✗ Some damage that occurs when your home is unoccupied for 60 days or longer.
✗ Loss or damage that took place before your cover started.
Cover limits and exclusions apply.
Check your excess
When you make a claim, you’ll need to pay an excess. Check how much you’ll pay for an escape of water, subsidence or other claims. You can find details and update your cover in the Churchill app.
If you have a question or need more help, visit our help page.
