In recent years, changes to the UK climate and dramatic fluctuations in water flow are making many areas susceptible to flooding. Statistically, 1 in 5 UK properties are at risk of flooding from rivers, sea and surface water, and this number is set to increase in the coming years, which means more and more home owners need to be aware of the potential for flooding in their area.

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

Consider the following flood risk stats:

  • Environmental Agency figures in November 2021 showed as many as 1.5 million UK households should prepare for flooding. More recent, but unofficial data suggest this number has doubled.
  • In 2022, and in previous years, the UK frequently sees deluges which deliver rapidly rising water levels in some areas of the country, in a very short space of time.
  • Places hit the hardest by flooding in the UK are:
    • All coastal areas – especially Cornwall, Hull and Great Yarmouth.
    • Riverside areas – especially Somerset, Kent, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
    • Flood plain locations – especially Merseyside, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Cumbria.
  • 70 flood warnings were issued across England in October and November 2019 with large parts of the country submerged under water.
  • Approx. 22,000 properties were under protection by flood defences, including nearly 7,000 properties in Yorkshire alone.
  • Flood risk impacts millions of homes in the UK every year, and many do not have adequate flood risk insurance protection in place.

Is My House At Risk Of Being Flooded?

For houses in England, you can find out if your home is at risk of flooding by simply entering your property’s postcode and house number on the Government’s long term flood risk assessment page. This includes links to flood risk information and maps for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Within this resource you can see how likely it is that your specific location will flood in the future, and the various factors that could cause or contribute to flooding in your area. It is also excellent in providing information on how to prepare for a flood, and how to sign-up for flood warnings.

Buying a new home? Interesting Fact!

Research by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has found that fewer than 1 in 3 people looking to buy a new home actually research the flood risk potential of the property before buying. An alarming stat considering 1 in 6 homes in England and Wales are considered ‘at risk of flooding’.

What Does ‘At Risk Of Flooding’ Mean In The UK?

The Government has four levels of classification that it uses to describe the long-term flood risk from rivers, seas and from surface water in each area. These are:

  • High risk (over 3.3%)
  • Medium risk (between 1% and 3.3%)
  • Low risk (between 0.1% and 1%)
  • Very low risk (less than 0.1%)

In categorising each area of the country these levels take into account existing flood defences, but also recognise that these can fail at times and do become overwhelmed when water volumes are high.

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: Protect Your Home from Flooding

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 Frontier 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