Flood damage at Christmas

There are few things worse than having to leave your home, and the precious possessions you’ve accumulated over the years, because of a sudden flood.

After a month of record rainfall in late autumn 2019, rivers and streams across South Yorkshire burst their banks on 8 November, flooding towns and villages.

Mr and Mrs Robinson – who had only moved to their new bungalow, in Tickhill, near Doncaster, five weeks earlier – had to evacuate at short notice, leaving with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing and a few small possessions.

Almost everything else in their home was lost or ruined, and the property itself suffered damage to internal fixtures and joinery.

Our claims team contacted the couple the same day and arranged for a restoration company to attend the following morning to begin the clean-up and remove excess water. They would have gone the same day but the severity of the flooding meant access to the whole area was difficult. We also arranged for surveyors and contractors to make the necessary restorations.

Our loss adjuster and claims handler met Mr and Mrs Robinson on Monday 11 November to discuss their needs. We quickly arranged a same-day payment to help them buy new clothes and take away the worry of hotel bills. At a later date, we also granted funds to secure a nearby rental property, and ordered a furniture package for them as the house was unfurnished.

Finally, to make Christmas in strange accommodation just a little bit more homely, we sent them a hamper of festive treats.

Find out more information about our caring, responsive, and expert claims team.