FLOOD INSURANCE

Yes, probably. Most home insurance policies – both contents policies and buildings policies – include flood insurance as standard, although you should always check the small print to ensure you have the level of cover you would need in the event of a flood. 

In insurance terms, flood damage is damage caused by flooding from ‘natural sources’, such as excessive rain or a river bursting its banks.

If you have a burst pipe, this is likely to be referred to as an ‘escape of water’ and will come under a different section of your insurance policy.

When it rains, the soil soaks up the water and saturates the rock beneath, creating what’s known as a water table. If heavy rainfall causes this water table to rise and prevents sewers and drainage systems from functioning properly, everything starts to overflow – which is known as groundwater flooding.

If you think your property could be at risk for groundwater flooding, it’s worth contacting your insurance provider to check whether your home insurance policy will cover this type of flooding.

You can enter your postcode to check your flood risk according to the government’s flood map. Alternatively, you can sign up for the free flood warning service or ask the Environmental Agency for more information about a property’s flood history.

In most cases, making a flood claim will increase the cost of your home insurance. Our research indicates that premiums are on average over £100 higher for those who have made a flood claim on their home insurance policy previously.*

Quotes are also over £210* higher on average when the applicant declares the property has been flooded before.  

*Based on combined buildings and contents insurance quotes, MoneySuperMarket data was collected between January and March 2022, accurate as of May 2022.

If your home is affected by flood damage, taking the following steps can improve your chances of making a successful claim:

• Contact your insurer as soon as possible

• Take pictures/video recordings of the flood and any damage caused

• Talk to your insurer before starting any post-flood cleaning or repairs

• Consider consulting an independent loss assessor if you’re unhappy with your payout

As a tenant, your landlord is usually responsible for taking out building insurance. So, any damage to the structure of your rented property should be covered under his or her flood insurance policy.

However, it's a good idea to take out a contents insurance policy that protects your possessions against flood damage, as well as other risks such as theft and fire.

Not living near water is no guarantee that your home will not be flooded. Very heavy rainfall can cause flooding even if you live miles away from the nearest natural water source. 

Steps you can take to protect your home from flood damage include:

• Take preventative measures: Buy sandbags and flood boards you can use to seal doorways and place them in sinks and toilets to prevent sewage backflow. Plastic sheeting is also useful to block air bricks

• Prepare an emergency kit: Put together an emergency kit of essentials you would need in the event of a flood – we recommend including insurance documents, a battery-powered torch and radio, waterproof clothing and blankets, bottled water, non-perishable food and medication, a first-aid kit, phone chargers, and food for babies and pets

• Take pre-flood photos: Take photos of your home before the flooding starts so you have before-and-after shots to show your insurer

If you know there is a high chance your home is about to be flooded, you should also:

• Listen for flood warnings: Keep an ear out for local flood warnings on the radio, the TV news or via the Government website

• Turn electricity, gas, and water off Where possible, shut off your mains electricity, gas, and water before floodwater enters your home

• Shut your windows and doors: Shutting windows and doors will help to reduce the amount of floodwater that can enter your home

• Evacuate vulnerable people: Evacuate young children and pets before the flooding begins as they are particularly vulnerable

• Move your car to high ground: If you have time, take your car to higher ground before the floodwater reaches your area

• Protect your belongings: Place valuables and electronic items as high as possible to avoid them being damaged

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