Flooding can have a devastating impact on homes and businesses. We encourage you to take steps to protect your property and possessions from potential flood damage.
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself against financial loss is by making sure you have the right insurance.
Why you need flood insurance
Flooding can happen unexpectedly due to heavy rain, burst riverbanks, or surface water.
Floods can still happen even if you don't live in a high-risk area, leaving you with costly repairs and replacement expenses. Standard insurance policies may not cover flood and storm damage, so making sure you're covered against flood damage is essential for peace of mind.
Types of insurance
There are 2 main types of home insurance, which you can get as 2 separate policies or combined into one:
- Buildings insurance: repairs to the structure of your home caused by flood damage
- Contents insurance: replacement or repair of belongings such as furniture, appliances, and personal items damaged by flooding
How to get flood insurance
- Compare Policies: look at insurance policies from different providers to find one that fits your needs and budget.
- Policies on standard comparison websites may not cover flooding. You can try calling insurance companies directly for quotes.
- If you struggle to find a policy that includes cover for flood damage, you can take out a separate flood insurance policy in addition to any home or business insurance.
- Find a list of insurance companies on the Flood Re website
- Find specialist flood insurance brokers from the British Insurance Brokers Association
- Get insurance that covers both your building and contents: this can be one policy or 2 separate policies.
- Choose the right policy: when choosing a policy, check if:
- The policy covers the value that you would need to make repairs or replacements after flooding. Calculate the rebuild value of your house
- The policy covers any outbuildings on your property, like sheds or garages.
- The policy covers the costs of temporary accommodation if you can't live at home because of flood damage.
- You can afford any excess payments, especially in an emergency.
- Get Expert Help: The National Flood Forum offers specialist insurance advice and support. More advice from the National Flood Forum
- Keep an inventory of your property and contents: this can help to make the claims process smoother. Receipts and photos are ideal.
Rented properties
Your landlord is responsible for the building, but they don't have to take out an insurance policy. If they do have insurance, your belongings probably won't be covered. You can get your own contents insurance to help with the replacement or repair of your belongings if they're damaged in a flood.
What we do to reduce flood risks
More support and flood advice
- What to do before a flood
- What to do during a flood
- What to do after a flood
- Business flood advice and support