Home insurance for flood-risk areas
Each year, thousands of homeowners across the UK have to deal with the consequences of water damage caused by flooding. Our guide tells you everything you need to know about home insurance for flood-risk areas.
Each year, thousands of homeowners across the UK have to deal with the consequences of water damage caused by flooding. Our guide tells you everything you need to know about home insurance for flood-risk areas.
Is my home at risk of flooding?
According to the Environment Agency, around 6.3 million properties in England are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. With the average cost of repairs to a flood-damaged home estimated at £33,600, it’s worth finding out if yours is in a high-risk area.
You can find out your insurance flood risk by postcode using the Environment Agency's flood postcode checker.
Do I have home insurance with flood cover?
Most home insurance policies cover flood damage. Your buildings insurance covers the structure of your home and any permanent fittings; contents insurance should cover your belongings.
Standard home insurance policies may also offer some level of cover for storm damage and water damage from burst pipes. Most policies also include alternative accommodation cover. This could be invaluable if a flood forces you to leave your home.
If you’re concerned about your level of flood cover, check your policy wording or talk to your insurance provider. You may need to pay more to add extras such as home emergency cover to your policy.
It’s vitally important you tell any potential home insurance provider if your home has a history of flooding – even if they don’t ask. If you don’t, you may find that you’re turned down if you come to make a claim.
Can I get home insurance if I live in a flood risk area?
If your home is at high risk of flooding or has been flooded in the past, you may be able to find affordable home insurance through the Flood Re scheme.
Flood Re aims to help people in flood-risk areas find affordable home insurance. All UK home insurance providers pay into the scheme, which then reimburses them towards flooding claims.
Flood Re works behind the scenes, so it doesn’t change the way you buy your insurance. You can still buy buildings and contents insurance by starting a quote with us. Always check that policies offer the flood cover you need before you buy.
Find out if your home is eligible for the Flood Re scheme.
What about specialist insurance for flooding?
If you’re struggling to find a policy, or you’re still facing sky-high prices, you may need to look for insurance through a specialist insurance broker. The British Insurance Broker’s Association has a list of flood specialist insurance brokers, including Flood Re specialists.
How can I protect my home if it’s in a high-risk flood area?
Take preventive measures
The winter months carry a bigger flood risk, so plan to minimise the potential effects before then. Taking preventive measures may also give you room to negotiate with your insurance provider.
Here are some measures to consider:
- Install flood doors and raise electrical sockets.
- Keep a stash of bricks and pallets so you can raise furniture off the floor if there’s a flood.
- Keep removable barriers and temporary seals handy for windows, doors and air vents.
- Install one-way valves to toilets and pipes to prevent sewage backing up into the house.
- Move valuable personal belongings upstairs or put them in waterproof bags if a flood is imminent. While insurance can replace damaged items, some things like family heirlooms and old photo albums are irreplaceable.
- Install water sensors that can detect rising water, and sump and pump systems that drain water from below floor level more quickly than it rises.
- Landscape your garden in a style that helps divert water away from your property.
- Use more flood resistant materials. For example, ceramic, stone, stainless steel and uPVC, rather than wood.
Get flood warnings
You can also sign up for flood warnings:
- In England, from the Environment Agency
- In Scotland, from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Floodline service
- In Wales, from Natural Resources Wales.
Unfortunately, there’s no alert service in Northern Ireland, but you can check flood risk maps through Northern Ireland Direct.
Choose a home insurance policy with a ‘Build Back Better’ option
It can be a good idea to take out an insurance policy that includes a ‘Build Back Better’ option. Here householders are given the chance to install property flood resilience measures up to the value of £10,000 when repairing their properties after a flood.
This means that if the area floods again, your home will be better prepared to keep as much of the water out as possible.
Measures can also be installed so that when water does enter it is easier, quicker and safer for you to clean up the mess and move back in faster.
Not all providers are signed up to the scheme, so check before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need home insurance for flood risk areas?
Home insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but it could save you from devastating costs if your home and possessions are damaged or lost due to flooding. Home insurance can also cover you for other insured events, such as fire or theft.
Do I need home insurance if I’m renting in a flood-risk area?
You won’t need buildings insurance if you’re renting in a flood-risk area. Your landlord is responsible for insuring the building.
But it’s worth considering contents insurance for renters. This can cover your belongings if they’re damaged in a flood.
Like this?
Then you'll like these...
Anna McEntee – Home, travel and pet insurance expert
Anna’s all about delivering fantastic insurance products at a great price. Value is the most important thing for Anna, as she cuts through the jargon and finds what’s most important and worth your hard-earned money.