Flooding

There are approximately 2 million homes at risk from coastal or inland flooding (10% of total homes in the UK), and around 200,000 homes at very high risk of flooding, namely with a greater than 1.3% annual probability of flooding.

In the long-term, this situation could worsen. Climate change will increase winter rainfall, the frequency of heavy rainfall, and sea levels and storm surge heights. With no change in government policies or spending, climate change could increase the number of properties at risk of flooding to 3.5 million. Furthermore, continued pressure on land could mean even more new developments being situated in floodplains.

Are you at risk from flooding?

If you live in England or Wales, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or log on to the Environment Agency website to see whether your home is at risk from flooding. If you are at risk there are practical steps you can take to prepare yourself, your family and your home. The Environment Agency website contains information on the flood warning service in your area and practical guides on how to make your home more flood resistant and clean up after a flood.

In Scotland the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) operates the flood warning and information service. Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or log on to their website for further advice.

Information in Northern Ireland is available from the Northern Ireland Rivers Agency.  NI does not have a flood warning service.

Will I get insurance?

Unlike in most other countries, flood cover has been a standard feature of household insurance policies in the UK since the early 1960s. In the rest of Europe, Australia and North America, this cover is either not available or only under special conditions. The UK insurance industry was able to make this commitment to its customers on the understanding that the government would provide effective flood defences.

After the widespread flooding in Autumn 2000, when around 10,000 properties were flooded and the costs to the insurance industry exceeded £1 billion, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) worked closely with the government to agree terms through which the industry would continue to provide cover for the vast majority of households in the country.

The result of these discussions was a statement of principles, which aims to provide reassurance to the overwhelming majority of insurance customers living in the floodplain about the continued availability of insurance in future. To accompany the statement, ABI has produced a question and answer briefing for the public to explain more fully the insurance commitment being given.

Following the floods in the Summer of 2007, the ABI held discussions with government to ensure that the statement of principles could remain in place and flooding insurance will continue to be available to the vast majority of households. The government and the ABI have announced that they have reached an agreement regarding flood risk management that will enable a revised statement of principles to remain in place until 2013 at least.

Further information on the insurers approach to flooding and other useful information can be found on the ABI's website.

Remember having buildings insurance is a condition of your mortgage. If you are having difficulty obtaining or renewing your insurance because of flooding please contact your lender.