Protect your home against flooding

Policy Holders Weather Advice Floods Household Safety 3 min read 29 May 2015

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There's no doubt that weather-related events like flooding, caused by heavy rains, have increased in the frequency and severity over the past few years, often causing damage worth millions of Rands. Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to protect your home, household contents and vehicles from possible flood damage.

 

Though the rainfall figures have remained relatively unchanged over the past ten years, the delivery patterns have changed. We are, increasingly experiencing large volumes of rain in short time periods. 

 

If you live near a river banks, run-off areas or open-water canals, you need to take extra precautions to ensure that your homes are adequately protected. Protect yourself against flooding with the following tips from Santam's underwriting team: 

 

  • Know your risk: When shopping for a home, remember to ask about the flood history of the area you are buying in.
  • In the gutter: Check your gutters and downpipes on a monthly basis and before the rainy season starts. Make sure your gutters, drainage ports and sumps are clean and free of debris such as leaves.
  • From the rooftops: To prevent storm damage, check your roof sheeting or tiles regularly and inspect screws/nails on asbestos type and iron roofs.
  • Neighbourhood considerations: Check the municipal storm water drains near your home before the rainy season begins. Involve the community in checking that drains are not blocked, and contact your local authority if they are.
  • Be warned: If you are a Santam policyholder you will receive a weather warning via SMS. Advance warning means you can move your car to a place of safety. Disconnect your electricity, move your electronic equipment and take other precautions well ahead of potentially adverse weather. 

 

 

Flooded? Santam can help

 

Santam is South Africa's largest short-term insurer. We offer our clients tips on how to keep safe through social media networks and SMS weather alerts. If you have a problem with respect to flooding, you can contact our 24/7 SOS and claims line on 0860 505 911.