After a wet winter, with local flooding events last month and ongoing flooding further north, it’s a good time to think about the flood risk at our homes and businesses.

The areas around Central which are affected by heavy rain and snow melt are typically well known and residents take practical steps to reduce the risk. Such as building on higher areas, adding

flood management structures and storing equipment either above ground level or in locations not usually impacted by flooding.

Risk management is something that can be carried out by most of us to reduce the chance of damage or loss during times of high rain or continued periods of rain that may saturate

surrounding land.

We think about what can happen and what we can do to avoid this occurring. As someone who has been caught out by heavy rain overflowing shallow drains and covering the floor of my garage, I have learned to clear leaves and the drain of debris on a regular basis.

Additionally, everything in my garage is now placed at least a little above floor level so if I do have another inflow of water, it probably won’t ruin anything.

But if your risk management doesn’t prevent damage from occurring, then your insurance policies will be expected to respond.

In Nelson, we are seeing insurers setting up pop-up offices where affected people are gathering.

Insurers are helping them lodge claims and receiving prompt support, including advances for clothing, temporary accommodation payments and - in some cases - rental cars arranged to

replace flood-damaged cars.

Additionally, insurers are already working with EQC to look at land damage due to flooding and landslips, with EQC providing cover for land around homes.

We have received advice to pass on to affected people about how to help with flood claims and the tough news that anything that has been in contact with floodwaters should be considered

contaminated and be disposed of.

It is always a good time to think about your risk management - like clearing gutters and drains - but it is equally important to review your levels of cover for home and contents, vehicles and

business assets.

• Does your current cover include adequate cover for alternative accommodation if you can’t stay in your home (or can’t use your business premises)?
• Have you reviewed your house sum insured and would this be enough to repair or rebuild based on current building costs?
• Do you have enough contents insurance to replace everything in the house if the worst happens?

If you need help unpacking this information, or want your policy checked, please give us a call. We are here as your local insurance advisor to make insurance easy.