How to make sure your home's insured for natural disasters

1. Keep your sum insured up to date: This is the maximum the insurer will pay out in the event of a claim. The correct level of buildings cover should cover the full rebuild cost of the property and not the market value. Contents insurance should include all the possession inside your home. Remember to update your policy with any new purchases or home improvements.

2. 'New for old' cover: This is also known as 'replacement as new' cover. This means the insurer will pay out for the price it would cost to buy the items new.

Most insurers will not provide 'new for old' cover on clothing, household linen, bicycles and audio/visual and computer equipment over five years old that has been damaged accidentally.

For these items, a deduction is made for wear, tear and depreciation. In addition, deductions are made if items are not replaced or the sum insured does not represent the full cost of replacing the property insured.

3. Check the single item limit: Most insurers will pay up to a maximum of £1,500 but this limit does vary dependent on the insurer. Always inform your insurance company of any expensive individual items you wish to include on your policy. It may be necessary to pay a higher premium or take out a separate policy. These options are often worth it to protect your valuable possessions.

4. Make your property secure: Insurers tend to favour mortice deadlocks and rimlocks that conform to British Standard 3621 and a NACOSS approved alarms. Make sure that you always lock doors and windows and set the alarm if you are leaving your property for any period of time.

5. Flooding and Subsistence: If you live in an area prone to flooding and do not have house insurance it is very important to inform your insurer. When you take out a policy, failure to tell the insurer the truth about your property and the area may result in the claim being rejected.

6. Be aware of the policy exclusions: Remember that the cheapest quote does not always offer the most comprehensive insurance. Always make sure you have checked the policy terms and conditions and exclusion to make sure that you are happy with the level of cover provided. Failure to have the correct level of cover could result in the insurer refusing to pay out in the event of a claim.

7. Shop Around: It pays to shop around when looking for home insurance as different insurers specialise in different risks. One insurer will often offer a more suitable product at a more competitive price. Make sure you always compare policies on a like for like basis. A policy may be cheaper but it may have less cover. Don't be caught out.