Flood frequently asked questions


Will my insurance premium increase as a result of having made a claim for flood damage?

Many factors affect premiums and although we do not currently have plans to increase premiums for our existing household customers because of the bad weather so far this year, you may see an increase in your premium at renewal.

Will Legal & General provide cover to customers in flood hit areas in the future?

Legal & General has not changed its position and we continue to offer renewal of insurance for our existing customers affected by the floods.

I live in a flood plain – will I still be able to get insurance?

Under a deal struck between the Government and the insurance industry in 2005, insurers agreed to continue to insure homes at risk of flood. Legal & General continues to support this industry agreement. However, customers may find it hard to switch their insurance provider.

Is Legal & General likely to back away from this agreement?

No, as long as the Government holds to its side of the bargain and continues to spend sufficient money on flood defences and it is encouraging that the Government has committed to build new defences and to halt the building of new homes in some flood plain areas.

Is Legal & General doing anything to help people in flood plain areas?

We are supporting the ABI in their initiatives to get more funding for flood defences from the government.

Can I just get flood insurance?

Cover for the risk of flood is included as standard under most buildings and contents house insurance policies. Legal & General's buildings and contents insurance provides cover for your home against all the usual risks such as fire, storm, flood and subsidence as well as less common causes of damage, such as theft, vandalism, or damage to your property caused by vehicle collision.

If you want just flood cover then you will need to contact a specialist insurer or adviser for more information.

When do you expect to get people back into their homes?

We will do all we can to get people back into their homes as soon as possible but where there has been serious flood damage the repairs may take some time.

What is Legal & General doing to make sure it has adequate resources in place to get repairs done?

We are working extremely closely with our loss adjusters and suppliers. For example our technical claims people have been making visits with them to ensure that resources are available so customer claims are handled efficiently but as quickly as possible. With this ‘hands on’ approach and advance planning we hope to limit any problems or bottlenecks with getting hold of builders or specialist skills.

What should I do if my home is flooded?

If you are unfortunate enough to be flooded then contact your contents and building insurer as soon as possible. It is advisable to keep insurance documents in a waterproof plastic bag. Your will need to take reasonable steps to protect your property. Take easily moveable objects upstairs and, if possible, use sandbags to hold back the water. For the sake of safety, make sure the electrical supply is switched off at the mains and equipment unplugged.

What insurance cover do I have?

You need to check your cover in the policy documentation and there is some information on our standard policy cover available by clicking through to What's Covered?

For example under our standard building insurance cover customers will be covered for flood damage to their property which would include items such as permanently installed kitchen units.

And under our standard contents insurance cover customers will be covered for flood damage to items such as carpets, tables and chairs.

Does Legal & General cover the cost of alternative accommodation?

Legal & General’s household policies will cover the cost of alternative accommodation (up to a specified limit), if the property is uninhabitable.

Where customers are out of their home for only a short period, ‘reasonable costs’ in respect of hotel accommodation are usually acceptable. Such costs will typically be reimbursed as soon as it is practical. However where long-term accommodation is required, as will be the case for many customers affected by the floods, our loss adjuster may locate a property and arrange to pay these bills directly.

If customers prefer to be near their property when the floodwaters have gone, depending on the circumstances, we may arrange for a mobile home or caravan to be placed in their garden.

We try to ensure that any alternative accommodation is in keeping with our customers’ normal lifestyle but this may not always be possible. We would ask customers to bear with us and be assured that alternative accommodation of an appropriate standard will be arranged when possible.

How long will customer be able to stay in alternative accommodation?

In most incidences the alternative accommodation arrangements will be agreed with the loss adjusters prior to moving in.

Will customers get the full costs of any flood damage back?

You need to check your policy wording but Legal & General’s contents insurance cover is new for old. Where possible we seek to repair damaged items or replace them if damaged beyond economical repair. Although there will be a deduction made in respect of any excess you have agreed under your cover. This is normally £50 or £100.

What should I do in the aftermath?

Once the waters have receded and if it safe to do so you may remove water damaged contents from your home. However, it is very important that you keep all damaged items rather than throw them away. If necessary, store them outside, in your garden or elsewhere. More practical tips at Flood help

Can I use my own builder or do my own repairs?

You may use your own builder but you may find it beneficial to use a builder nominated by us. As the standard of work will be known and be monitored so if there should be any problems it will be easier to raise the matter with us.

If you decide to do the work or to choose your own builder to undertake any repair work, we may need 2/3 estimates in order to understand the work that will be needed and the likely costs before we confirm and agree that any work may commence. Any reinstatement work, increases in costs will also require our agreement before any work goes ahead.

Any complaints arising from work undertaken by a builder chosen by you but not sanctioned by us will be for you to resolve.

How long will it be before I get any money from my insurance?

As this is a major flood event it may take months before we will be able to get customers back into their property so where appropriate we will arrange for customers to have emergency up front payments as soon as possible to help ease financial concerns.

Do you think the Government should be doing more?

We will continue to support the ABI in its discussions with the Government regarding helping communities that have been devastated by the recent floods and being prepared for future flood and storm events. We are committed to helping our customers with the trauma of the flooding but they also need support from public investment in flood defences and management. The announcement that the Government is to increase flood defence spending is good news.

Is much of the UK at risk of flooding?

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that 10% of the land area of the UK, covering up to 2 million homes is in danger of flooding.

Despite the Environment Agency's attempts to increase flood awareness, many people living in flood plains are still not aware that they are at risk.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates that 570,000 properties are at "severe" flood risk.

 
 
 

Need help?


 
Shaw Trust Accessible

© Legal & General Group plc 2009

Back to the top