What is a non-standard property?

If it isn’t bricks and mortar, the chances are it is classed as a non standard material. Examples of this include: flint, timber frame, corrugated iron, steel, glass, prefab (combustible and non-combustible).

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Why Use QuoteSearcher for Flood Risk Insurance?

In the UK, an estimated 6.3 million properties are at risk of flooding, and the risk tends to rise during the autumn and winter months, when high winds and heavy rain create the conditions for flooding to occur. The effects can be serious, damaging homes, businesses and vehicles, as well as the surrounding area.

With weather patterns becoming less predictable, flooding is expected to become more frequent in parts of the UK, so it’s worth understanding the flood risk your property faces and whether your current cover reflects it.

We work with a panel of specialist brokers who arrange cover for properties in flood risk areas, including homes with a history of flooding that can be harder to insure through standard providers. Fill in one short form, and we’ll put you in touch with brokers who can talk you through your options.

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Policy Features for Flood Risk Insurance

Flood risk insurance isn’t usually a standalone policy, it’s typically built into your buildings and contents cover, with extra consideration given to your property’s specific flood risk.

Depending on the provider, this may include:

Buildings Cover

May cover the cost of structural repairs caused by flooding, including walls, roofs, flooring and other permanent parts of the property.

Contents and Personal Possessions

May cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings, appliances and other contents damaged by flooding, separately to the buildings themselves.

Accidental Damage

If flooding is caused by an accident, such as an overflowing or burst pipe, the cost of repairs may be covered, depending on your policy.

Alternative Accommodation

May cover the cost of alternative accommodation, such as a hotel, if your property becomes temporarily uninhabitable following a flood.

Home Emergency

May cover the cost of a call-out if flooding is caused by something a professional could fix immediately, such as a burst pipe.

Landlords and Rental Properties

If you’re insuring a rental property rather than your own home, flood cover usually forms part of a wider landlord insurance policy alongside buildings and contents cover. A few things tend to be specific to landlords:

Loss of Rent Cover

If flood damage leaves a rental property uninhabitable, this may help cover lost rental income while repairs are carried out, typically up to a set period such as six months.

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Outbuildings Cover

Garages and other outbuildings can be just as exposed to flood risk as the main property, and are worth including if they hold anything of value.

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Freeholders and Leaseholders

For blocks of flats, what you need to cover can depend on whether you hold the freehold or a lease. Worth checking so you are not paying for cover already arranged elsewhere in the building.

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Are You at Risk of Flooding?

You can check the flood risk maps on GOV.uk to see whether your property is in an area affected by rivers, the sea, or surface water. Some insurers may also ask for a flood risk assessment before confirming cover, particularly for properties with a history of flooding. Common reasons a property may be considered at risk include:

Being near a river or canal that may burst its banks in heavy rain or storm weather
Being near the coast, where seawater can rise during storms or high tides
Surface water flooding, usually after heavy rainfall or a burst pipe

What Flood Damage Insurance Covers

If your property does flood, cover will typically address the practical costs involved in getting it back to a liveable condition, which may include:

Removing debris and materials washed in by flood water
Drying out and repairing the property, including refitting fixtures
Professional fees for those involved in the repair process, such as architects or surveyors

The age and location of a property can both affect the cost of cover. Older properties or those with ageing pipework may be seen as higher risk by some insurers, alongside the property’s general flood exposure.

Reducing the Risk of Flood Damage

Flood insurance protects you financially after a flood, but there are steps you can take as a homeowner or landlord to reduce the damage in the first place:

Sign up for flood warnings and consider joining a local flood action group for advance notice
Look into products like flood boards and air brick covers, which may help keep water out
Check with your local authority on any flood defence measures planned or already in place in your area

These steps won’t remove the risk entirely, but they may help limit the damage, and flood risk insurance is there to provide financial support if a flood does occur.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FLOOD RISK INSURANCE

- Does home insurance cover flooding?
  Most standard home insurance policies include some level of flood cover as standard, but this isn't guaranteed, especially if your property is in a known flood risk area. Insurers assess flood risk individually, so it's worth checking your policy documents or speaking to a broker to confirm exactly what's included and where the gaps might be.
- How do I find out if my property is at risk of flooding?
  You can check the flood risk maps on GOV.uk to see whether your property sits in an area affected by rivers, the sea, or surface water. Some insurers may also ask for a flood risk assessment before offering cover, particularly for properties with a history of flooding.
- Will living in a flood risk area affect the cost of my insurance?
  It can. Insurers typically price flood cover based on how likely flooding is at your specific address, so properties near rivers, coastlines, or in low-lying areas may see higher premiums. A specialist broker who works with flood-risk properties regularly may be able to find options a general insurer wouldn't.
- What's the difference between flood risk insurance and standard home insurance?
  Flood risk insurance isn't usually a separate, standalone policy, it's typically built into your buildings and contents cover, with extra consideration given to your specific flood risk. The difference tends to come down to how insurers assess and price that risk, and whether they're willing to offer cover at all for higher-risk properties.
- Can landlords get flood risk insurance for a rental property?
  Yes, flood cover can usually form part of a landlord insurance policy, alongside buildings and contents cover for the property. Depending on your setup, you may also want to look at loss of rent cover, which can help if flood damage leaves the property empty and unrentable for a period. Find out more about Landlord Insurance.
- Does flood insurance cover damage from burst pipes?
  This depends on the cause. Accidental damage from things like a burst or overflowing pipe is often treated separately to flood damage caused by external water, such as rivers or surface water after heavy rain. It's worth checking your policy wording, or asking your broker, to understand which applies.
- What can I do to reduce my flood risk or my premium?
  Physical measures like flood boards, air brick covers, and non-return valves on drains may help reduce the risk of water entering your property, and some insurers may take these into account when pricing your policy. Signing up for flood warnings and knowing your options in advance can also help you act quickly if flooding does occur.
- How much does flood risk insurance cost?
  There's no fixed price, since flood risk insurance is priced individually based on your property's location, flooding history, and the level of cover you need. Properties in higher-risk areas will generally cost more to insure, which is where speaking to a specialist broker can help. They may have access to insurers better placed to offer competitive terms for flood-prone properties.