Buildings Insurance and the Threat of Floods

What is the impact of increased flooding risk in the UK? What happens if your home becomes effected by floods?

Flood is an increased problem in the UK. Buildings insurance companies are concerned about the rising risk of flood. Claims to settle flooded properties are by nature quite expensive. Flood also tends to be a recurring threat at properties which means that once effected a home could suffer more than one flood in a short period of time.

This makes accepting flood risk properties difficult for UK insurance companies as there is almost an inevitability that the property will once again face flood damage. In recent years, flooding has become an even higher risk for UK insurers and there is an ongoing debate between insurer representative bodies and the government regarding the level of cover available to flood risk properties and the amount of taxpayer investment in flood defence.

The general rule amongst house insurance companies is that if a building suffers flood, the present insurer will continue to cover it at renewal of the policy. However you will be unable to switch insurer at this stage. Whilst this may mean you are stuck with a limited choice of insurers willing to cover the property, at least you are offered protection.

If you move into a property that is liable to flooding, you should investigate who previously insured the home. this might be your only chance of getting proper buildings cover for the property.

There are some flood specialists on the market who may be able to offer cover.

Yourhomeinsurance.co.uk, a site dedicated to house insurance in the UK does not accept flood risk properties.

Buildings Insurance and the Threat of Floods