Posting on behalf of a friend who is just about to exchange contracts on a house. When she rang the insurers connected to the mortgage company (Britania) to arrange buildings cover she was told they would refuse insurance due to the postcode. Her existing insurers (Lloyds) asked if house is situated within 1 mile of an area which has ever been flooded and then refused insurance when she told them it is.
The current owners have lived in the house for 17 years and although, like much of London, there have been floods nearby the house has never flooded.
What are her options apart from a specialist (and presumably very £££) policy?
Presumably if she does not declare the perceived risk of flood this will invalidate the policy should she make any sort of claim although I have spoken to friends who live nearby and who have neither been asked nor have voluntarily declred this information.
Any speedy advice would be gratefuly received.