In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that one in five homes are at risk of flooding. As a result, many homeowners purchase flood insurance to protect their property and belongings. Below, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding flood risk insurance in the UK.

What is flood risk insurance?

Flood risk insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage for damage caused by flooding. Flooding can occur due to heavy rains, melting snow, faulty water lines, or overflowed rivers or lakes.

Do I need flood risk insurance?

You might need flood risk insurance if you live in an area that is prone to flooding or if your mortgage lender requires it. If you’re unsure whether or not you need flood risk insurance, contact Frontier and we can answer any queries you may have.

How much does flood risk insurance cost?

The cost of flood risk insurance varies depending on the value of your home and belongings, as well as the amount of coverage you need. To get an accurate estimate of how much your policy would cost, contact Frontier for an instant quote.

Related Reading: Protect Your Home from Flooding

My home has never flooded before. Do I still need flood risk insurance?

Potentially, yes, depending on your location and circumstances. Just because your home hasn’t flooded in the past doesn’t mean it won’t flood in the future. Flooding can occur suddenly and without warning, so it’s always best to be prepared.

What does flood risk insurance cover?

Most policies will cover the rebuilding costs of your home as well as the contents inside (furniture, appliances, clothing, etc.). Some policies may also cover temporary living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to flooding. Be sure to read through your policy carefully so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Does my homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding. You will need to purchase a separate policy for that.

Do I have to buy flood risk insurance from my mortgage lender?

No. While your mortgage lender may require you to have flood risk insurance, you are not required to purchase a policy from them. You are free to shop around and compare rates from different insurers until you find the one that’s right for you and your budget.

Which areas in the UK are most at risk of flooding?

Flooding is a major problem across many areas of the United Kingdom. According to the Environment Agency, there are more than 5.2 million homes at risk of flooding across the country. That number is only expected to increase as the climate changes and extreme weather becomes more common. Which areas of the UK are most at risk?

London is one of the most vulnerable areas in the UK when it comes to flooding. More than 1 million homes in the capital are at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency. The main reason for this is because much of London is built on river floodplains. When the river Thames overflows its banks, as it did in 2014, large parts of London can end up underwater.

Central England is another area of the UK that is particularly vulnerable to flooding. In 2007, for instance, severe floods caused by heavy rain led to the evacuation of around 5,000 people from their homes in Gloucestershire. The following year, floods affected more than 60,000 properties in Yorkshire and Humberside. And in 2015, another set of floods hit Coventry, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Northern England has also been hit hard by floods in recent years. In 2015, floods caused by Storm Desmond led to the evacuation of around 10,000 people from their homes in Cumbria. Storm Eva also caused widespread damage and flooding in Yorkshire in 2015. In 2016, parts of Lancashire were inundated by floods after weeks of heavy rain.

Related Reading: Is Storm Damage Covered by Insurance? Unravel the Facts

How much does the UK spend on flood defences?

The UK government currently spends £2.6 billion on flood defences in England. In the 2020 Budget, the government announced that this investment will double to £5.2 billion to 2026.

The government claims this will ensure 336,000 properties across England are better protected from flooding, in addition to the 300,000 homes that are currently protected through more than 1,000 active flood defence schemes.

How much flooding will the UK get in the future?

According to a study by PNAS, warming of 3.5 to 4.8 degrees Celsius by the 2080’s – which is what some experts expect if emissions stay high – would expose an additional 250,000 to 400,000 people in Europe to river flooding, and potentially up to 5.5 million per year to coastal flooding. The report suggests the UK is likely to be one of the worst affected locations.

In the coming years, Northern England and Southern Scotland are set to suffer an 11% increase in river flood levels per decade, whereas coastal areas are expected to experience an increase in compound flooding (brought on by simultaneous storm surges and heavy rainfall).

Any further questions on flood risk? Ask Frontier

We hope this article has helped answer some of your questions about flood risk insurance in the United Kingdom. Remember, if you’re ever unsure about whether or not you need coverage, contact Frontier and we can give you a definitive answer.

The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, financial or professional advice. The views expressed on this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the insurance company.

Related Reading: Flood Re Scheme Explained: An Essential Guide for Homeowners

Why Frontier For Flood Risk Insurance?

Flood Risk insurance is intended to protect the things you value most. Frontier offers you protection and total peace of mind through flood risk insurance that is custom designed for your specific need and circumstance. We keep things simple and clear, with no hidden fees, fixed limits or exclusions. What you see, is what you get.

Confused About Flood Risk Insurance? We Keep It Simple

We offer one product – an online self-service solution – allowing you to design your own cover that you can adjust and manage over time. We automatically see if your property may qualify for Flood Re, even if it doesn’t meet the criteria, we may still be able to provide cover including flood. We’ve simplified and personalised the wording too. Read it before you buy – it’s made especially for you.

Instant online quote

With 24-hour access, you can quote online, for an instant price based on your need and circumstance. Our policies can cover buildings, contents and personal possessions and a variety of exceptional items.

How Flood Re works

Every insurer that offers home insurance in the UK must pay into the Flood Re Scheme. This levy raises £180m every year that they use to cover the flood risks in home insurance policies.

Flood Re works with insurers behind the scenes. When you buy home insurance cover, we can choose to pass the flood risk element of your policy to them for a fixed price.

If you make a valid claim for flooding, Frontier will pay the claim. Later on, Flood Re reimburse Frontier from the Flood Re fund.

In short, you buy your home insurance in the usual way. We cover the flood risk and that helps to keep your premium down.

Customer Reviews

Very reasonably priced and covered home business use too. I suffered damage during the storm and they were very prompt and efficient and paid very quickly so I was happy to renew. Good service.

Jim Hendry

Very good cover. Easy claims process. Renewed on a cheaper quote. I will not hesitate to recommend Frontier Insurance to cover your home.

Mark Dalumpines