The country is bracing itself for yet more appauling weather and many are facing the daunting task of cleaning up after a flood and making an insurance claim. With the current credit crunch hanging over us and making anything financial difficult, these points could help you and put you in a better position when putting in a claim.

First and foremost you should not return to your property until it is safe to do so. Flood water brings with it a host of chemicals and sewage as well as causing damage to structure and dislodging items which could create hazards in your home that you are not aware of.

The following information should help you with the process of getting your life and home or business back on track after a flood.
Tips for a successful insurance claim after a flood

* Collect photographic evidence of the damage
* Mark the water levels on the walls for reference
* Keep all correspondence between you and your insurers
* Keep all receipts from emergency repairs as this can go towards your claim
* Get advice where major repairs are needed - your loss assessors will be able to help with this
* If you need alternative accommodation then check your policy - you should be covered
* If you have to seek alternative accommodation, then make sure that your insurance company and loss assessor know where to contact you.

Cleaning up after a flood

It may sound obvious, but don't start the repairs until the flooding is over. Don't rush to redecorate as you could end up doing the job twice, or if you have under estimated the problems, you could have to start again altogether. It can take weeks for a property to fully dry out and it is worth remembering that water levels with rise and fall for several weeks after a flood, so there could still be more to come.

Remember these points for cleaning up after a flood:

* Make sure a qualified person has switched off your gas and electricity and do not attempt to turn them back on until the supply has been checked and verified by a professional.
* If a carpet is salvageable, then do not lift it from its fixed position, as it should shrink.
* Make sure that you run taps for a few minutes before using.
* If the flood water is potentially contaminated with waste, then seek professional advice and assistance.

IF YOUR HOME HAS SUFFERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START A CLEAN UP

Keeping safe cleaning up flood water

Flood water can pick up many different harmful substances as it travels from the banks to your home. The Health Protection Agency have warned that E.coli could be present in the contaminated flood water from picking up sewage and animal slurry, so it is imperative to be safe.

To minimise your health risks, follow these precautions:

* Wear protective clothing i.e.: waterproof boots, gloves etc
* Wash hands thoroughly
* Keep children away from risk areas. Remember that some of the areas could be hidden.
* Wash and disinfect children's toys
* Cover all cuts or sores with plasters and generally prevent them from being exposed to the flood water
* Clean surface areas with soap and water and disinfect with bleach
* Dispose of any flood that has come into contact with the flood water
* Check with the water company to ensure that the water supply has not been affected by the flood water. If you are boiling water prior to use, then make sure that you wait for it to cool before use.

Follow this advice on flood safety and you will be fine. If in doubt enlist the help of a professional.

No matter how small or how big the damage, the job of a loss assessor is to make an insurance claim as easy as possible and to get you the best settlement. They can even help and arrange clean up professionals to come to your home or business and take the stress out of getting your life back on track.