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What should I do with my flood-affected contents and carpet?

1. Document everything first 

Before you start cleaning up, take photos or videos of all the damage - both to your property and belongings. Keep samples of damaged materials too (a square metre of carpet is plenty), but only if it's safe to store them.

2. Remove water and mud-damaged contents 

You can safely remove anything that's waterlogged or muddy and might be a health risk - think saturated carpets and soft furnishings. If items might be repairable or you're keeping them as evidence, store them somewhere safe and hygienic.

3. Make a detailed list 

Write down everything that's been damaged with as much detail as possible: what it is, the brand, model, serial numbers - whatever you can remember or see.

4. Buy essentials if you need to 

Need to replace something urgently like a fridge or washing machine? You can do so, just keep your receipts. If your Contents Insurance covers these items and we accept your claim, we'll give you a cash settlement instead of organising replacements.

5. Hold off on non-essentials

For everything else, make a list with descriptions, brands, where you bought them, and any receipts you have. Photos of the damaged items and replacement quotes can speed things up later.

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