Advance claims payments

Aviva recognises the severe difficulty our customers are facing as a result of the flooding. So we are offering customers advanced payments to help you replace your most important belongings immediately.

Whether you are a commercial or a household customer, talk to our claims team today about our advance payment option. *

Aviva's helpline numbers

24 hour dedicated claims service - 1890 666 888

Additional staff available this week to make sure that you get access to our experienced claims advisors.

Breakdown Rescue - 1800 448 888

For Aviva customers whose vehicles have broken down. **

Homecall helpline - 1850 621 126

24hr helpline to help locate expert repairmen and tradesmen such as plumbers, roofers etc.

Increased risk of flooding in Ireland

If you have been affected by flood damage, you will know just how disruptive and upsetting a flood in your home can be.

If you haven't experienced flooding firsthand but live in an area that could be at risk, now is a good time to think about what you can do to protect your property. There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to flooding and no one can predict exactly where floods will hit in years to come.

What we do know, is that flooding is occurring more and more often, in Ireland. We also know that it pays to be prepared. There are simple measures you can take to reduce the impact a flood will have on your property.

We have produced this guide to help you to prepare and to know what to do if faced with the risk of flooding.

What to do when a flood actually happens

Make sure the whole family know what needs to be done if there is a flood that puts your home at risk.

• Turn off your gas, water and electricity supplies.
• Disconnect your cooker, washing machine and dishwasher if they are connected by rigid pipes. This will prevent damage if they float or move about during a flood.
• Close the valves on oil or gas tanks outside your home.
• Unplug all electrical items and move any items you can upstairs.
• Protect doors, low windows and air vents by fitting flood barriers to prevent floodwater entering your home. Approved and tested products are preferable, but sandbags, timber or metal sheeting placed outside openings will create a seal and reduce the volume of water entering your home. Remember to remove all covering on air vents once the floodwater has receded, as ventilation is needed to dry out wall cavities. You can also create temporary seals using silicone sealant. Simply open doors and windows, spread the sealant around the frame and close and lock the door or window.
• To prevent a backflow of water through toilets, drains or waste pipes, simply plug sinks and baths and weigh the plug down with a sandbag or something heavy. You can plug outlets without fitted plugs, (for example, washing machine waste pipes), with a cloth. You should also place a sandbag in the toilet bowl. Outside your home, you should weigh down manhole covers with sandbags or concrete blocks.
• Move as many items as possible upstairs - for example, furniture, rugs, floor-length drapes, electrical appliances, and so on. If you don't have time to remove curtains, simply drape them over the curtain rail to make sure that they are above the floodwater.
• If it's not possible to move heavy furnishings, raise them up on blocks or weigh them down or tie them together to make sure that they don't float and get damaged by hitting other objects.
• Empty heavy cabinets of their contents and move vulnerable and particularly sentimental items upstairs. Remember that items like photographs or family videos may have little financial value but they are irreplaceable to you. This also applies to personal documents and address and phone books. Sealing these in waterproof plastic bags is a simple and practical measure.
• If you have to leave your home, pack a selection of warm, dry clothes and essential toiletries and medicines. Fill a flask with a hot drink and keep a torch and battery operated radio (tuned to the local station for updates) and fully charged mobile phone (if you have one) to hand.

Preparing in case of a flood

• Make sure you know how and where to turn off your gas, water and electricity supplies - even if it's dark.
• Keep a list of useful numbers handy (including your GP, local authority and us, your insurer).
• Make a list of the vital items you will need if you have to leave your home in an emergency.
• Make sure the whole family know what to do if there is a flood.

What to do after a flood

Once the water level has dropped and your home is given the all clear, you should take the following action.

• Get advice from our Accident Line on 1850 666 888. Do not reconnect your services until an accredited engineer has checked them.
• Dry out appliances affected by floodwater and get a qualified electrician, gas engineer or plumber to inspect them before you use them.
• Lift flood-damaged carpets to allow the floor to dry out but don't throw them out.
• Use a low heat to gently dry things out - using too much heat too quickly can cause further damage.
• Take care not to use electrical sources of heat near flood water.
• Do not throw anything out. Your claims adviser will need to assess damage to your belongings for valuation purposes and to see if it's possible to repair them.

Repairs after a flood

If we make a payment for flood damage, we may recommend that you make some changes to your home to reduce future damage. For example, we may ask you to replace wooden floors with sealed ceramic tiles, to move electrical sockets to a height above likely flood levels, or to replace MDF or laminated kitchen unit doors with hardwood alternatives.

Upgrades are not covered by your home insurance policy and if we ask you to make improvements we will let you know at the time, the costs that we can cover and those that you will be expected to pay for.

Useful contacts

* Terms and conditions apply. Offer applies to eligible customers affected by the recent adverse weather who have lodged a claim and have the appropriate policy cover. The size of the advance payment will vary depending on the circumstances of the case.

** Available where included on policy. Aviva Insurance Europe SE is regulated by the Financial Regulator.