New figures released today by Zurich Municipal, the UK’s leading provider of risk management and insurance to the public services, show that over the past six years the average cost of flooding claims has risen by 120%. The trend however, is from an increase in the severity of cases as opposed to the number of incidents rising.
The predicted rise in sea levels caused by the natural subsiding of the landmass could result in a severe increase in cases of coastal flooding. The high profile events at Boscastle and Carlisle are prime examples of the devastation that spates of extreme weather can inflict on a community and the expensive redevelopment that follows.
Consequently Zurich Municipal is issuing advice to customers on ways to protect their property from damage caused by extreme weather during the winter months. Their advice follows predictions from The Met Office that the cold weather is set to continue for a while. A spokesperson said: “The remainder of this week will be cold with widespread night frosts, typically around -8 C in central England. Looking further ahead, it looks as though we will maintain cold nights.”
Zurich Municipal’s key recommendations highlight the ways in which property owners can minimise the risk of weather damage occurring to their property through simple and practical steps such as carrying out regular inspections and ensuring heating systems are kept warm.
To help prevent damage from flooding:
- Ensure all property, including drains and culverts, are maintained and in good condition – mend any damage and clear blockages immediately.
- Assess the vulnerability of light weight constructions, especially if in exposed areas; if possible replacing with more substantial constructions.
- If in a high flood risk area, do not store key items or expensive equipment at basement level.
- Investigate flood defence spending plans and look at alternative risk management measures.
- Employ a contingency plan, including a series of checklists, to ensure the safety of the building and any shutdown of equipment.
- Instigate an efficient call-out system and identify an alternative ‘crisis centre’ for relocation, in case of building damage.
To help prevent damage from cold weather:
- Roofs, ridge tiles and chimneys should be inspected to ensure they are in a good state of repair to withstand the rain, snow and high winds of winter.
- Heating systems, particularly boilers, should be inspected and maintained under a full maintenance contract.
- Frost thermostats should be fitted to ensure that boilers and heating systems automatically come on in cold periods.
- Heating systems should be left on during weekends and holiday periods to ensure the ambient temperature of the building is high enough to prevent the possibility of water pipes freezing
- Ensure that automatic sprinkler systems are fully maintained and that alternate systems are switched to air during winter months.
- Implement maintenance contracts to ensure that gutters are cleared of fallen leaves and debris. This will reduce the risk of blockages and subsequent overflowing of water into the building.
Graham Page, Senior Risk Management Consultant at Zurich Municipal, said: "Many claims relating to property damage caused by extreme weather can be prevented. For property owners, following simple risk management procedures is a far more cost effective way of dealing with a problem than paying for claims."
While freezing weather is almost certain to be the cause of some major losses this winter, in most cases only minor damage will occur. However these minor damages interrupt the running of businesses costing the customer time and money. Zurich Municipal’s latest risk management advice will mean that many of these unnecessary claims and inconveniences can be avoided.
- Ends –
For further information please contact:
Clare Waller, Gemma Crisp or Andrew Scales at Kinross + Render/ECCO PR on Tel: 020 7592 3100 (out of office hours: 0777 550 5176) or email:
zurichmunicipal@kinrossrender.com
