Zurich has partnered with Gloucestershire County Council to support their campaign to assist the ongoing flood recovery in the County, and to provide advice for residents who have requested further information on dealing with floods in the future.
The insurer, who has a big presence in the region has partnered with the local authority to produce its ‘Essential Flood Guide’, which will be going out to approximately 262,000 households - all Gloucestershire residents.
The Guide provides practical advice and includes an ‘Emergency Guide’ with simple steps to follow in the event of future floods, or loss of water and power. It includes the following:
· an explanation of what happened during the summer emergencies and why.
· an emergency ‘pull-out’ guide providing practical advice in the event of a future, similar situation.
· information about the ongoing flood recovery operation.
· how to establish whether your home is at risk from flooding and how to protect it.
· Essential advice if you are planning renovations at home
· safety advice, insurance advice and financial / personal help with financial hardship following a flood.
Gloucestershire County Council is leading a flood recovery programme working in partnership with all six district councils as well as Police, Fire and the NHS in response to this summer’s floods and water shortage emergencies. Cheltenham based insurer, Zurich, has sponsored the Guide and contributed insurance advice for residents that are concerned about minimising future risks of flooding.
Cllr Barry Dare, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council said: "People in Gloucestershire are still suffering from the effects of the summer floods and the County Council is working hard to lead the recovery operation to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.
“We appreciate Zurich's support in helping us to produce the Flood Guide. The guide is an important part of our recovery programme, reassuring the people of Gloucestershire by giving them practical advice to help them stay safe and protect their homes in future flood emergencies."
Graham Annand from Zurich’s Property Claims team said ”We’ve dealt with a broad cross-section of claims from the flooding of the local leisure centre in Cheltenham to private homes, and the key issue for most people is the same - how do we get our lives back to normal? We decided to work with Gloucestershire County Council to advise people not only what they should expect from their insurer, but also to help minimise the damage and disruption to their homes should this occur in the future - this guide provides a lot of useful advice to help with that.”
Kelly Bartlett, Chair of Longlevens Flood Committee and flood victim, was involved in the production of the Guide: “This guide has some excellent advice to help people help themselves in emergency situations. It’s great for older people and people who can’t get out and about. When an emergency happens you’re in shock and you don’t necessarily think straight. So, it’s great to have all the information and telephone numbers you need in one place. However, in order for a guide like this to be really effective, communities have to join together and help each other.”
For further information contact
Maria Wyatt, Zurich Financial Services on t: 01489 864817 m: 07764 282074 e: maria.wyatt@uk.zurich.com
Notes to Editors:
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 58,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.
