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The hot girl in work wore a very low cut top today

Top Tips for Flood Protection

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Flood damage can be extensive and expensive. It is not always covered by home insurance policies so it is advisable for homes and businesses to take some simple but effective precautions to minimise the risk to their premises and keep costs to a minimum.

Businesses must also have an effective plan to remain operational if disaster strikes, otherwise outgoing costs will sky rocket and incoming payments will cease. In an average year, DEFRA and the Environment Agency (EA) calculate that the cost incurred per flooded English business ranges from £75,000 to £112,000.

Here are some Top Tips to help ensure minimal distress in case of flooding in your property.

Minimising Risk

1. Know your situation - If you don't know whether or not you are at risk of flooding, find out. People always say, "I never thought this type of thing would happen to me". Investigate the risk, if there is a chance it could happen to you, be prepared for it. The Environment Agency monitors the UK for flood risk and issues warnings to areas in danger of flooding. Register with the EA Floodline to receive warnings of flood.

2. Plan - If you don't have physical flood protection, you may need to evacuate and this will need to be safely monitored and organised. Businesses could modify an existing fire exit strategy. Ensure you have a flood emergency response plan and an emergency response team. Appoint a Flood Warden to show staff where the plan is kept along with a list of key contact numbers. Consider preparing a flood kit that can be stored where staff members can easily get to it if the property is flooded.

3. It is a wise idea for businesses to have a continuity plan to facilitate continued operational effectiveness. Modern technology makes it easy to have a portable company. You can relocate to another property (perhaps a room in the business owner's home), or at least have a scaled-down operation functioning for the duration of the flood. Homeowners can modify these guidelines to make sure they are able to effectively look after their families if they find themselves caught in floods.

4. Have a plan of action in case of flooding: have sandbags or a flood barrier to help keep the water out, know who is in charge of doors, windows, drains and air vents, who will be responsible for tracking the status of the flood, have an exit strategy, and a list of contacts where you could stay in a worst-case scenario, as well as your local support telephone numbers. Also keep a family flood kit, which contains a few essentials, particularly for any children, and make sure you grab your laptop and mobile phone since these could prove essential for learning more about the extreme weather conditions and staying in touch with people who could help. For both businesses and homes, it is vital to ensure that someone is appointed to turn off all the gas and electricity.

5. Are you protected? - Check insurance policies to see if you are covered for flood damage. Only a small percentage of people in high flood risk areas know if their insurance covers water damage. If you can keep the water out, this is better than fixing the damage. Look at simple preventative steps you can take such as portable flood barriers.

Reducing Flood Damage

1. Switch Off and Relocate - Relocate high-value items, critical records and electronic equipment to upper floors. If it is safe to do so, move essential vehicles to higher ground. Disconnect all electrical appliances and shut off the gas supply to reduce the risk of fire.

2. Hold Back Hazardous Water - Flood waters are often contaminated with biohazards (sewage, medical waste, animal waste and carcasses) or other hazardous materials (fuels, asbestos, farm chemicals, etc.). Flood-damaged buildings may also have damp areas where moulds, mildews, and other organisms thrive. Close hand-operated valves on drain piping to prevent backflow through floor drains or plumbing fixtures. Check roof, floor or yard drains are clear.

Top Tips for Flood Protection

Flood damage can be extensive and expensive. It is not always covered by home insurance policies so it is advisable for homes and busines...

Do You Really Need That Flood Insurance?

Do You Really Need That Flood Insurance? 12:27

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FEMA Elevation Certificates are used to determine if your house or structure is in a Flood Hazard Area. A lot of Mortgage companies are automatically putting Flood Insurance on houses that may or may not be in a Flood Hazard Area. We can file LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or FEMA) on a case by case basis. FEMA will review each LOMA and determine if the structure is indeed out of the FHA and then send a letter stating so. This letter can be used to send to your mortgage company to eliminate FI which can be very costly. In most cases the Mortgage Company will only eliminate the Flood Insurance with an FEMA Certified Elevation Certificate and/or a LOMA.

Why has this become such an issue recently? Over the past few years, homes even outside of the Flood Hazard Area have been damaged or completely destroyed due to unprecedented flooding in some areas. If the home is destroyed by flood and the home owner doesn't have flood insurance, often times the mortgage company is left with the outstanding loan and no way to recover it.

Because of this, Mortgage companies are trying to require flood insurance. Having a FEMA elevation certificate can be the only way to get out of having to pay for expensive flood insurance when you really don't need it. Some areas carry more risk than others and having an elevation certificate can show reduced risk, and trigger the mortgage company to remove the requirement of flood insurance.

Flood insurance can cost from $750.00 per year up to $5000.00 per year and up from there depending on your property, your home value and your risk of flood. The only real way to determine how much risk you have is to get the FEMA elevation certificate and file the Letter of Map Amendment. In almost every case where insurance is require by the lender, the cost of a FEMA Elevation Certificate and LOMA filing is far less than the ongoing cost of paying for flood insurance that you may not actually need. Even if it is determined that you do need insurance, you end up with an accurate assessment of your risk, and that can in many cases save hundreds of dollars each year.

Being informed about these types of things when buying a home can save you a lot of money over the life of the loan. Don't just take what you are given and accept it. In most cases, lenders and insurance companies are motivated to first protect their investments and assets before they consider yours. Take the time to investigate, and make a good informed decision. Apathy costs consumers a lot each year, and knowing what steps to take to protect yourself is the first step to saving money.

Do You Really Need That Flood Insurance?

FEMA Elevation Certificates are used to determine if your house or structure is in a Flood Hazard Area. A lot of Mortgage companies are a...

Dry Ice Blast Cleaning After Natural Diasters

Dry Ice Blast Cleaning After Natural Diasters 12:21

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Hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods and fire all wreak havoc on lives, the landscape and destroy billions of dollars in personal property every year.

What is the proper response to a natural disaster when it is your property that has sustained the damage?

Safety First! As much as you may want to immediately begin sifting through the wreckage and start putting your life back together, your structure may have suffered significant damage, making it unsafe. Play it smart. Wait until your building has been inspected and deemed safe to occupy.

Document Everything! This practice should really begin well before the catastrophe hits. Every property owner should make a habit of photographing and cataloging their property and possessions on a regular basis. This way, if something does happen, you will have receipts as well as photographic proof of the condition of your property and belongings. Photograph, video and document everything that has been lost or damaged. This will make your claims process so much easier.

Contact your Insurance Agent/Carrier Immediately! Hopefully, you have a good relationship with your Agent. A helpful agent can make all the difference between having a smooth claims process or an absolute nightmare.

Protect What's Left. We don't like to think this sort of thing can happen to us, but during times of catastrophe and disaster human nature can take a nasty turn. Sometimes our neighbors can turn into scavengers, looters and hooligans. Do your best to protect whatever is left of your valuables and property from the elements and from potential threats.

Start The Cleaning Process. Begin with de-watering. Water, wind and weather are probably your biggest enemies. Water can continue damaging structures, foundations and valuables long after the initial swells have subsided. Water will breed mold, mildew and can undermine foundations. Water destroys concrete, wood, plaster, drywall and most every other kind of building material used in construction. The sooner water can be controlled and removed the sooner the cleaning process can begin.
The Actual Cleaning Process.

Once the water has been removed and your structure has been secured, it's time to start cleaning up the damage and piecing your life back together.

This can be a confusing time and there are many options to consider. Most cleaning professionals and disaster recovery teams rely on their own proprietary systems and methods to do their work. Don't feel as though you do not have a say in the methods they use, however. This is your property and you want to be certain that great care is taken to salvage as much of your structure and belongings as possible.

Consider using a contractor that utilizes dry ice blast cleaning as one of their primary methods of disaster recovery.

Dry ice blasting is a process that is extremely efficient at breaking up and removing layers of mold, smoke residue and dirt. The benefits of this revolutionary cleaning method make it ideal for cleaning any structure that has been affected by mold, soot and other hard-to-remove contaminants from a natural disaster.

The dry ice blasting cleaning method is a faster and more effective at removing mold, mildew, dirt, charred residue and soot than other cleaning methods such as manual scraping, sand or soda blasting and pressure washing. And because cleaning is more cost-effective than structural replacement, dry ice blast cleaning will save you money in the long run.

Dry Ice Blast Cleaning After Natural Diasters

Hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods and fire all wreak havoc on lives, the landscape and destroy billions of dollars in person...

The Increase Of Flooding In The UK

12:19

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There are a lot of rivers in the United Kingdom and as an island state, there is also an extensive coastline. During the summer of 2007, there was an unusual amount of extreme weather which led to a lot of flooding and this resulted in over £3 billion worth of damage. As yet, the flood damage from the extensive flooding in 2012 has not been determined but you can be sure it will be a good deal more than £3 billion. The climate is changing and there appears to be a good deal more rain during the summer months. It is possible that long term, sea level will also rise and this too could lead to further flooding on coasts and up rivers. Obviously this is bad news for anyone already living in a flood zone but also bad news for those who may think that they are safe from flooding. It might be a good idea for you to perform a flood risk assessment for your property.

If you have seen the television footage and newspaper photographs over the past few months, you will be aware that there are many areas that have been hit by flooding which had previously never experienced it. Damage has occurred to roads, bridges and railways leading to disruption to transport links. In some places, the only way to get around was by boat or canoe. Homes and businesses have suffered horrendous damage with families being displaced and temporary accommodation having to be arranged. The flooding is not only devastating for those affected but it means that properties are out of commission until they have been dried out and repaired and this can take several months or even a year to complete. If you have home insurance, there is a good chance that the insurance company will pay out for the damage but if you do not have insurance, the cost could be quite horrendous.

Many properties have now found to have been built on flood plains, so it is always a good idea to check before you move in. Take a good look at where your property is, if it is near a river, the sea, a reservoir, at the foot of a hill or bank and what the local topography is. Find out if there are any flood defences in place so that in the event of heavy or prolonged rain there is a bit of protection. You can investigate flood defences and flood protection for your property yourself and this can have a big impact on preserving your property. This is particularly important if your property falls within the official flood risk area and you have difficulty in obtaining insurance cover. Most insurers will not cover properties that fall within a flood risk area or that have flooded in the past.

Unfortunately, more people will suffer from the effects of flooding even if they do not live in a known flood risk area. As we have observed this summer, even for those who live nowhere near a river, flooding can devastate their properties, so be sure to check about yours.

The Increase Of Flooding In The UK

There are a lot of rivers in the United Kingdom and as an island state, there is also an extensive coastline. During the summer of 2007, ...

5 Easy Ways to Making a Successful Home Insurance Claim

12:18

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If you've taken out insurance and something happens like an accident, fire, theft or flood then the likelihood is you need to make a home insurance claim.

This can be a very worrying time and it is imperative you do this properly, otherwise you could find your claim rejected. This is the last thing you want after paying your premiums for years!

If you need to make an insurance claim then you need to get in touch with your insurance provider ASAP and ask them to post or email you a claim form.

Also, if the claim is of a significant value (usually over £3000) it might be wise to employ the services of a loss assessor. They specialise in helping you get your full entitlement under the terms and conditions of your insurance policy - and they usually work on a small percentage of the settlement, meaning it's in their interests to get you as high a settlement as possible.

When you have received the claim form make sure you fill it in properly and make sure you keep a duplicate for yourself.

Check the following factors before you send in your claim:

You're definitely protected for what you're declaring for.
You're within the deadline for making a claim.
How much the excess is. If you have a high excess, and the claim is small, it may not even be worth making an insurance claim.
Check the dreaded small print, and make sure there isn't any criteria that could stop you from claiming (the type of locks etc).
Whether it's a new for old plan. The insurance company can deduct for wear and tear, so the amount you get may be less than the cost of replacing them new.
You'll need to include duplicates of all certification that will help your claim, such as invoices and receipts. Be sure to retain copies of these in case your insurance provider turns down your claim.

Sometimes your insurance provider may also ask if you have other policies (such as contents insurance) in place. It is very important you let your provider have these details on any additional cover.

Perhaps the most important piece of advice is not to overstate or embellish your insurance claim. We have seen many instances where this has resulted in a rejected claim, or a reduced settlement.

Do you always have to make an insurance claim?

You don't have to claim on your insurance, even if you're eligible to do so. In some cases, if your claim is relatively small, you may decide not to as your future rates could increase by more than the quantity you have stated.

Important: even if you don't want to declare on your insurance coverage, you must always tell your insurance coverage provider about an incident. If you don't report it, you might discover that this results in problems further down the line.

Dean Foster is an insurance claim expert, and the owner of Foster & Rowe Ltd - the UK's leading Loss Assessor.

After 20 years of working for some of the top loss adjusting companies, we became "poacher turned gamekeeper" and represent the policy holders interests only. We know exactly how your insurance company will try and settle your claim for less than what you are entitled to, and we use our knowledge and experience to get you your highest possible settlement.

5 Easy Ways to Making a Successful Home Insurance Claim

If you've taken out insurance and something happens like an accident, fire, theft or flood then the likelihood is you need to make a ...

Water Will Find a Way

12:16

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Water damage claims in Canada now make up 53% of all property insurance losses.*

As a former Insurance Broker I can attest to this statistic and even suggest that if all damage to property were reported & covered, that the number would be even higher. Why this growing trend? This is truly the fault of our own progression & modernization. If you consider that at only 100 years ago almost no one had water running or electricity into their homes, you can understand that damage from water was rare & in turn damage from fire was high. Electrical code (if you did have electricity running to your home) was non-existent & lighting your way by oil lamp & heating your house with firewood in a cast iron stove was the norm.

In this relatively short period of time we have evolved from indoor plumbing being a novelty of the rich to living in homes which in some cases have more bathrooms than bedrooms, appliances that wash our clothes & dishes and Hot water tanks sitting in our basements. This is the new normal. And although our electrical & heating prowess has grown to an art form in terms of safety and security, we haven't yet solved the water puzzle.

I recall years ago as I was navigating the ropes as a first time homeowner, I was wrestling with a leaky garage. Every time it rained the water entered and soaked the floor. My wise neighbor was having a laugh at the many attempts I had made to band aid the situation. I was sure I could avoid what I though was the large bill it would take to properly re mediate the situation. Being a good neighbor he didn't laugh too hard but instead offered the patient insight that I'll always remember; he said to me "Water will find a way". And it did, through every contraption, patch & quick fix I could throw at it.

I was lucky in the end that the water never did come into the house through the garage & after the painful reality of defeat had sunk in, I opened up my wallet and the phone book to call in a professional. I was however not so luck a few years ago when the washing machine malfunctioned a flooded my entire basement in 4 inches of water. I was so busy concerned about water coming in from the outside I never considered I'd get hit from the inside. My neighbors words echoed true: Water had found a way!

It turned out a simple $6 hose had burst and caused $25,000 in damage. (by the way: the cost of the upgraded braided hose I could have bought at the hardware store instead was only $12). Yes, two months and too many headaches later, I was able to rent out my basement again. Not only had I displaced my tenant and had to find a new one, I lost the income from rents, the deductible and my claims-free discount on my insurance policy (not mentioned the hours I spent on the loss salvaging property from the flooded basement).

Now my own personal mini-disaster described above is all too common for building owners of all types. As mentioned above 53% of all property damage claims are coming from water damage of one sort or another. This includes, burst pipes, storm damage, flood, malfunctioning appliances, faulty building envelope construction, sewer back-up losses, the list goes on. As building owners you can understand the potentially devastating effect water damage can have on your investment. Rents stop but bills continue to pile up. Tenants leave & find new premises to rent or lease. The mortgage still needs payments as do the utilities. Consider the even higher costs when the water is from grey & black water sources. Aside from the property damage you now have to consider mold and other airborne pathogens that can contaminate the property and even the air. Surely the solution isn't to knock down every building and reconstruct with today's latest technology in plumbing and water damage prevention. In my case a $12.00 investment would have saved $25,000.

Here's a few loss prevention techniques you can implement in your building maintenance program:

- keep floor drains clear of obstruction; 
- ensure that there is proper grading around your building; 
- install a sump pump; 
- install back flow valves or plugs for drains, toilets and other sewer connections to prevent water from entering the home; 
- for vacant buildings: drain the plumbing & arrange to have someone come in to ensure no signs of leakage has occurred. It is important to keep the heat on to avoid frozen pipes especially in older buildings. 
- check water connections, hoses, pipes for signs of wear and tear.

Now there is no fool-proof way to ensure water damage will never occur. But if it does have on hand contact information for a Restoration Company as well as your insurance broker's phone number. Whether insured or not, it is important for property owners and managers to document damage with photographs or video, and immediately, to begin loss mitigation procedures themselves; or hire a qualified contractor to do this on their behalf. It is totally inappropriate to put off mitigation while waiting for an insurance claims representative to arrive on the scene to evaluate the loss. By that time, in all probability sufficient time will have passed to grow and amplify microorganisms, which may not be covered by insurance. Loss mitigation is defined by insurance policies as "reasonable and prudent measures designed to preserve, protect and secure property from further damage."

Water Will Find a Way

Water damage claims in Canada now make up 53% of all property insurance losses.* As a former Insurance Broker I can attest to this stati...