Experts at the Irish Brokers Association (IBA) are calling on homeowners to take appropriate action to ensure they do all they can to protect their home – to stave off any situation whereby they may need to claim on their insurance and/or to lessen the impact where those situations arise.
 
This comes as households and businesses nationwide brace themselves for more stormy conditions on the horizon.

Specifically, the IBA have warned homeowners to ensure their external walls and windows are adequately water resistant – there are various products and sealants and varnishes available to do this. They have also warned that if there are immediate floods warnings in an area sandbags and wrapping should be put in place to protect your property.

Finally, they have warned that if you live in a flood risk area during more risky periods, it is a good idea to keep personal and expensive items as high above ground level as possible.  
 
Director of General Services the Irish Brokers Association, Brian McNelis said, "Recent reports have suggested that there is only one way for general insurance premiums at the moment and that’s up – what will compound this even further is if we experience a bad Winter with a high volume of home insurance claims. This will have the knock on effect of pushing premiums up even further. 

"Homeowners and businesses alike need to bear in mind that although we can’t stop the inclement weather conditions we can take steps to minimise the impact.

"However, we are not just advising people take action for the greater good to keep claims volumes low – protecting your home against the elements could save people a lot of heartache of having to go to the trouble to make a claim to their insurer or from having to make up the balance financially where an insurance policy doesn’t cover the cost of repair for the entire claim etc. Also, making a claim on your insurance can affect your future premiums so when possible it’s always good to prevent damage if at all possible."

Source: www.businessworld.ie