Home insurance advice flood risk

[Josie1968]

I’ve been online getting insurance quotes which I don’t enjoy, but have found it easier online rather than ringing around as that takes ages and I find the agents run through the questions so quickly it’s really difficult to keep up! A question that came up is are we in a flood risk area. In the past I’ve always automatically answered no to the agent on the phone but online there was a link to the environmental agency to check postcode for flood risk. I was surprised to find that we are classed as high risk for surface water flooding! When I clicked yes a message came up saying they are unable to insure us and I couldn’t go any further. The only thing I can think of is the floods back in 2007, where there was some flooding in our area, and our garden did have surface water of a few inches but not high enough to enter or damage the property.

I would appreciate any advice.. like I say I’ve always answered no to this question in the past!! It’s tempting to say no again but just not sure!

Thank you.

Watching with interest

If there are lots of crammed in new builds around you then flood risk rockets. More than one estate has flooded while under construction. This is why people don't want giant new builds and should not buy them.

You may be able to get cover through the Government FloodRe scheme - www.floodre.co.uk/

The surface water flood maps are based on computer modelling rather than being records of historic floods. They are basically showing where low spots in the ground would accumulate water during heavy rain.

The surface maps are a lot less certain than other sources of flooding (rivers and sea) as they simplify interaction with sewers and drains.

You can request more detailed information from the environment agency or download data from the defra data platform.

Lots of insurance companies specialise in non standard risks. AIB should have links to brokers.

If you put no again you're risking the insurance being invalid if they find out so...
But like PP says there are places that can cover this (especially as it doesn't even sound bad, what's happened) but they won't be online quotes so you'd have to call, most likely

@umbel thank you I will check that out..

@Geekygeek thank you that's useful to know, I will check it out