Home Insurance With Flood Cover

Flooding is one of the most common and costly forms of damage to UK homes. Here, we’ll reveal how home insurance policies handle flood coverage, what to expect in high-risk areas or flood zones, and how to get a tailored quote with the right cover. We’ll also explain why speaking with a specialist adviser is usually best.

Does home insurance include flood cover?

Yes, most standard buildings and contents insurance policies in the UK include some level of flood coverage as standard. This provides financial protection in the event your home or belongings are damaged or destroyed due to floods. However, this doesn’t include things like a gradual build-up of water or damage due to neglect.

If your property is located in a flood zone area or has a history of past flood claims, some insurers may refuse cover, apply higher premiums, or require you to take out a specialist additional flood insurance policy. Other insurers may automatically exclude flood damage altogether unless you actively request it.

What does flood insurance cover on a home?

With a valid home insurance policy that includes flood cover, you should be protected against the costs of repairing or replacing parts of your home or possessions damaged by flooding. This will depend on your level of coverage and whether you take out buildings and contents insurance:

• Buildings insurance for floods: This covers the removal of any debris, along with drying out your property and restoring any structural damage from floods. Repairs and restoration should include the walls, floors, foundations, plumbing, electrics, and fitted kitchens or bathrooms. You may be covered for surveyors, architects, legal expenses, and alternative accommodation.

• Contents insurance for floods: This policy focuses on the repair and replacement of all your loose belongings within the home. This could include items such as beds, sofas, furniture, carpets, electrical goods (TVs, laptops, game consoles, etc.), kitchen goods and appliances (fridges, freezers, washing machines, dryers, etc.).

It’s always important to check the exact level of flood cover offered by your policy before taking out insurance, especially in areas at higher risk of flooding. You should also be aware of factors such as single-item limits, and some insurers may have higher excesses than others or impose restrictions on specific types of flood claims.

Is it harder to get home insurance in a flood risk area?

It can be, but not always. Properties in high-risk flood zones or those that have experienced flooding in the past may require specialised flood home insurance. Standard insurers may decline cover altogether or exclude flood damage, while others might only offer limited protection or impose strict conditions.

Fortunately, the Flood Re scheme (a UK government-backed initiative) helps insurers provide affordable flood cover for homes in high-risk areas. If your home was built pre-2009 and is in council tax bands A to H, you may be able to get flood cover through mainstream insurers if they participate in the scheme.

Does it cost more?

Sometimes, but not always. Properties located in flood-prone areas often face higher insurance premiums or include a higher excess for any flood-related claims. However, the cost will depend on several factors, including:

• Your property’s flood risk zone rating (e.g. zone 1, zone 2, zone 3).

• Any long-term flood risks showing on the flood risk summary for your region (UK government, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, NI Direct).

• Any history of previous flood claims for your property, and how recently any flooding occurred.

• Whether you’ve taken preventative measures (like installing flood doors or sump pumps).

• The insurer’s own underwriting rules and pricing models for flooding.

• The level of cover you choose and whether you opt for buildings, contents, or combined insurance.

That said, using bespoke policies or schemes like Flood Re can help keep premiums more affordable. It's always a good idea to shop around all the available options with advice from an experienced adviser who can access specialist insurers.

Get a bespoke home insurance quote online

Finding the right home insurance policy with adequate flood coverage can be challenging, especially if you’re in a high flood risk zone or area. Mainstream insurers are usually reluctant to provide cover due to previous or potential flood claims associated with the property's location.

That’s why a brief conversation with a specialist adviser is the best way to make sure your home is properly protected. Whether your property has previously flooded, sits near a river or coast, or has been flagged as high risk by flood mapping tools - our advisers can help you compare tailored quotes that meet your specific needs.

If you’d like a free, no-obligation chat with an adviser who specialises in flood home insurance, you can get started here:

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Best home insurance providers for flood risk areas

Not all insurers offer the same level of protection for homes in flood-prone locations, and some may not offer coverage at all if your property has been affected in the past.

To give you an idea about potential options, here are some popular mainstream UK insurers that may provide home insurance with flood cover, either directly or through the Flood Re scheme:

• Halifax: Will include flood damage as standard with most buildings and combined home insurance policies. Their flood cover typically protects against damage from surface water flooding due to heavy rain, burst pipes, inland waterways bursting their banks, and seawater breaching coastal defences. In high-risk flood areas, Halifax supports the Flood Re scheme.

• AXA: Standard AXA home insurance policies include flood protection as part of their buildings and contents cover. They are also part of the Flood Re scheme, enabling them to offer more affordable flood insurance to eligible homes in high-risk areas. They offer various levels of insurance, including AXA Plus and AXA Premier, which may include higher coverage limits.

• Admiral: Offers home insurance policies that typically include flood cover. They also participate in the Flood Re scheme, enabling quotes for some properties in high-risk flood areas. Admiral also supports the Build Back Better initiative, offering eligible flood-hit customers up to £10,000 on top of their standard claims for implementing flood prevention measures.

If your property has flooded before, or if you're unsure whether it's in a designated flood risk area, it’s worth speaking to an adviser who can guide you through the options. Chatting to an adviser is the best way to get realistic prices and accurate home insurance quotes, regardless of your situation.

Why choose Teito for your home insurance cover?

Finding the right home insurance with flood cover can be difficult, especially if your property is in a high-risk area, has experienced previous flooding, or if standard policies don’t provide enough protection.

Whether your home has already been affected by floods or you simply want peace of mind in case the worst happens, our expert advisers can help you compare tailored quotes that reflect your property’s unique circumstances and location.

Here’s why homeowners across the UK trust us to find them the best flood home insurance policy:

• We specialise in homes located in high-risk flood areas

• Our advisers are 5-star rated on leading review sites

• Your first consultation is free, with no obligation to proceed

• Access to tailored underwriting for flood insurance

Ready for a free, no-obligation chat with a home insurance flood specialist? You can get started here.