Risk does not always mean refusal

Insurers look at a range of factors, including location, claims history and property characteristics. Premiums and excesses can differ significantly between providers.

Flood Re in brief

Flood Re is an industry-backed reinsurance scheme designed to help eligible UK households access more affordable flood cover. Not every property or policy qualifies; check the current conditions.

Read the policy carefully

Compare the flood excess, buildings and contents limits, alternative accommodation provision and any exclusions. A low headline premium may not tell the whole story.

If the property has flooded before

Be accurate with insurers about previous events and claims. Ask what evidence of protection work or repairs would be useful.

Landlords and tenants

Buildings and contents insurance are different. Tenants should check their own contents arrangements and contact the landlord about repairs to the structure.

Where to get independent help

See Flood Re, the Association of British Insurers and Citizens Advice for practical information.

Read the flood terms rather than just the price

Two policies with similar premiums may have very different flood excesses or conditions. Check whether buildings and contents are both covered, whether temporary accommodation is included and what evidence the insurer expects after an incident. Ask whether previous flooding must be disclosed and whether claims have led to requirements about barriers, pumps or maintenance. Do not assume that damage from a sewer backup will be dealt with identically to river flooding under every policy.

Preparing for a possible claim

Keep an accessible record of valuable contents, photographs of rooms and receipts for significant repairs. Save evidence of any protective measures, surveys and their maintenance. After a flood, report the incident promptly, record the water level and avoid throwing away damaged items without checking the insurer’s requirements unless there is an immediate safety concern. If cover is difficult to obtain, independent advice and relevant flood insurance arrangements may help, but eligibility and policy terms need checking carefully.

Check the details before you need to claim

The headline premium is only part of the picture. Read how the policy treats flood damage, excesses, alternative accommodation, outbuildings, contents in basements and any special conditions. Flood and escape-of-water cover are not necessarily identical. If your home has flooded before, answer the insurer’s questions accurately and keep any survey reports or details of protection measures installed since the event. Do not assume that an online flood-risk map supplies everything an insurer will want to know.

If cover is difficult to obtain, a specialist broker or independent advice service may help you explore suitable options. Flood Re supports eligible UK household policies through participating insurers, but it is not a promise that every building or policy qualifies. Eligibility, property use and the insurer’s own terms matter.

If a claim happens, keep control of the paperwork

Notify the insurer promptly and ask what emergency steps are authorised, whether a loss adjuster will attend and how damaged belongings should be recorded. Take clear photographs, make a list of affected items and keep receipts for temporary repairs or essential purchases. Where contaminated materials must be removed for safety reasons, document their condition first if it is safe to do so. The insurer can tell you how to deal with disposal and salvage.

Flood reinstatement can involve several contractors and disputed assumptions about what can be dried or reused. Ask for a written scope, an agreed schedule and a record of changes as hidden damage is discovered. If you disagree with a decision, request the reasons and supporting evidence, then use the insurer’s complaints procedure where appropriate. Citizens Advice and the Financial Ombudsman Service can explain further routes if the dispute remains unresolved.

Check what your household policy is intended to cover

Buildings insurance normally relates to the structure and permanent fixtures, while contents insurance relates to possessions, subject to the actual policy wording. Tenants, leaseholders and landlords may have different responsibilities, so check which party insures each part of the loss. Do not assume that damage to a garden, boundary, outbuilding or vehicle is included simply because flood damage to the house is covered. Confirm the position directly with your insurer rather than relying on a neighbour’s experience.

Reliable further information

For current warnings, official flood-risk maps and safety advice, use the relevant government service. This website cannot assess live conditions at your home.

Government flood guidance · National Flood Forum · Citizens Advice