Winter Watch: are you at risk of flooding?

One in six homes in England is at risk of flooding, so it’s never been more urgent to protect your property against flood damage.

Fortunately, flood cover is a standard feature of home insurance – but make sure any additional risks are covered, as flooding can cause devastating damage to your property and possessions.

Brooklin Claims Consultants Managing Director Stefanie Thwaite said:

“More and more of us are living in areas at risk of flooding. If you live in a high flood risk area, a standard home insurance policy may not provide full protection should the worst happen, and your home is flooded. It’s always worth double checking.”

You could be living in a high flood risk area if:
• you live near a river or canal that bursts its banks
• you live in area where there are high tides and storms
• you are subject to frequent heavy rainfall.

What to look out for:

Exclusions: if you live in a high flood risk area, the quotes offered by insurance firms may exclude flood cover or include a high excess.

Is all your property covered? Certain parts of your property – an outbuilding or fencing – may be left out of your policy or be optional.

Groundwater: Only a minority of policies cover groundwater flooding and it’s not always a standard feature. It’s worth checking the exact wording.

If you’ve bought contents insurance, then your possessions are covered.

Read more about our Winter Watch campaign:

Winter Watch: how we manage a claim after a flood

Winter Watch: how to prepare for a flood

Don’t manage your insurance claim alone – speak to one of our experts for free and under no obligation: 0800 592 144 (freephone).