How to cope with the financial consequences of flood damage Nick Starling, the director of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers (ABI), said: "Events like this are exactly why people take out insurance. Insurers plan for bad weather, and will have arrangements in place to minimise distress and inconvenience and help people recover as quickly as possible. Those in 'at risk' areas should check the details of their buildings and contents cover as if their property is flooded, claims will need to be made on both policies, so understanding excess levels and the claims procedure is essential. Concerned householders should also take expensive portable items upstairs or somewhere else dry and also ensure they protect irreplaceable sentimental items such as important documents and photographs as insurers will expect consumers to make attempts to minimise the cost of the claim. "Car owners also need to consider their vehicles too," said Mr Harrison. Unlike your home you can move your car away from flood risk areas and park it on higher ground. In severe cases cars can be completely submerged and even swept away by flood water. While third party, fire and theft is the legal minimum insurance required for motorists, drivers who have only opted for this basic level of cover will not be able to claim for flood damage. Most "fully comprehensive" car insurance policies will cover flooding, but like all insurance, there will be an excess - or the first part of a claim which the policyholder is expected to pay. The severity of the water damage will determine how the claim is handled and whether your car can be repaired or is a total loss. Insurance experts warn that many flood-related deaths occur inside vehicles. So, if your car stalls in water, the safety of the occupants is more important than the contents. If you are driving through water, never take your foot off the accelerator as this will allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe and cause the engine to stop. Similarly, if you suspect water has got into the engine of a parked car, do not turn the ignition on as this can cause irreparable damage. If you are a victim of the deluge, contact your insurer without delay because administrative backlogs are likely should the flooding be widespread. Never throw any damaged items away, even if you are advised by your insurer to do so, as it can be very helpful to save samples of carpets, skirting boards or architraves as evidence of their quality. Take photographs or digital video evidence of the damage because - if you need to argue about valuations with an insurance company - a picture can be worth a thousand words. Keep receipts for replaced property in case you need to claim again. Should any losses be caused as a result of criminal action, report the incident to the police so that you can obtain a crime reference number. Telephone your home insurance company to advise them you are about to make a claim - it may be possible to avoid filling in forms and posting them Householders could make the best of a bad job by using insurance payouts to fund redecoration but added it is important to wait until the property is completely rid of damp before work begins. A certificate, provided by a damage restoration company, should be obtained before allowing work to start. Those who jump the gun and start redecorating before the property is completely dry, will find themselves in an even bigger mess when the damp comes through Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains. Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or as high up as possible. Smear a layer of silicone sealant around window and door frames, then shut and lock the doors and windows. Call your local council to see if they will supply sandbags. Cover doors, windows and air bricks with plywood, sandbags or metal sheeting. Move furniture away from walls. Roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs. Remove curtains or hang them up over the rail. Leave internal doors open. Keep important personal documents in a sealed plastic bag in the attic.