Does home insurance cover flooding in the UK?Standard home insurance buildings and contents policies typically include flood cover as part of the broader escape of water and storm section. However, if your property is in a known flood risk area, insurers may exclude flood cover, charge a very high premium, or set a very high flood excess. The government-backed Flood Re scheme addresses this for eligible properties. Most standard home insurance includes flood cover. High-risk properties may be declined or face very high premiums — but the Flood Re scheme provides a safety net for eligible homes built before 1 January 2009. What does flood insurance cover?
What is the Flood Re scheme?Flood Re is a reinsurance scheme launched in 2016, funded by a levy on all UK home insurers. It allows insurers to cede (pass on) the flood risk element of high-risk residential policies to the Flood Re pool, making it possible to offer affordable flood cover to households that would otherwise be uninsurable. Flood Re is not an insurer — you buy your policy from a normal insurer, and the flood element is backed by the scheme.
How to check your flood risk
What if your insurer will not cover you?
Flood excess: what to expectEven with Flood Re, flood excesses can be substantial — typically £250 to £2,500 for flood claims. Some high-risk policies have flood excesses of £5,000 to £10,000. Always check the specific flood excess on your policy, not just the standard excess, before assuming you are fully protected. Verdict Most standard policies include flood — check the excess and Flood Re eligibility If your property has flooded before or is in a designated flood zone, check your current policy flood excess carefully. If you cannot get affordable cover, use a Flood Re-participating insurer — all major UK home insurers participate in the scheme. Frequently asked questionsIs flood cover included in standard home insurance? Yes for most properties. High-risk properties may face exclusions or very high excesses. The Flood Re scheme helps make flood cover available for eligible high-risk homes at capped premiums. Does Flood Re cover new-build homes? No. Flood Re only covers residential properties built before 1 January 2009. New-build homes in flood risk areas are excluded from the scheme — developers are supposed to build to higher flood-resilience standards. What happens if my home floods and I make a claim? Contact your insurer immediately and document all damage with photographs. Do not throw away damaged items until the loss adjuster has visited. Your insurer will arrange emergency drying, temporary accommodation if needed, and oversee the repair or reinstatement of the property. Will a flood claim affect my home insurance premium? Yes. A flood claim will increase your future premiums significantly — sometimes doubling them. With Flood Re backing, the increase may be moderated. Consider the long-term insurance cost implication before making smaller claims. |
Flood Insurance UK 2026: What Is Covered and How to Get It
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