How to protect your home from flooding

Search: More on flood protection

- Get an instant home insurance quote

With many parts of the UK severely affected by the latest floods, home insurers are preparing themselves to deal with millions of pounds worth of flooding and home insurance claims.

To prevent similar devastation in the future the home insurance industry is calling out for an increase in government spending on flood defences.

Anyone who has been affected by the flooding and already has a home insurance policy should be fortunate enough to have flood damage included as part of their cover. Most home insurance policies include this as standard but double check the small print.

For the unfortunate homeowners who do not currently have any existing home insurance and have been hit by a flood, there is very little point in trying to arrange cover now.

Many leading home insurers are even considering removing flood cover from their standard home insurance policies unless the government increases its flood defence budget.

When it comes to renewing, if your property has been affected by the recent floods, or is considered to be in an area liable to flooding, your current home insurance provider may decline to continue to offer your insurance altogether.

They're under no obligation to renew your home insurance simply because you are an existing customer.

If they will continue to insure your property even though it is at risk, you can expect your home insurance premium to rise by 20-30%. This increase reflects the increase in risk you present to them.

When arranging insurance, insurers will use your postcode to decide whether you live in an area at risk of being flooded.

It pays to inform them if you live on top of a hill or in a high-rise flat as although the area around may be at risk of being flooded, it's unlikely that your property will encounter water damage.

Many homeowners do not realise that 90% of flooding damage is caused by the first inch of water that enters the property.

Therefore, if you're in a flood risk area it’s recommended that you invest in flood protection equipment to prevent water entering your home.