If your home has flooded before, you may worry that a previous claim will make it difficult to get insurance. A flood claim can affect the quotes and terms you are offered, but it does not automatically make a home uninsurable.
Cover may still be available through an insurer that can assess the property’s circumstances, sometimes with the support of Flood Re. Having the details of the claim and any work carried out since the flood can help when you apply.
This guide explains how insurers consider previous flood claims, what Flood Re does, and how to prepare when looking for cover.
It can. Insurers may ask about claims you have made and flooding or claims at the property, depending on their application questions. A flood claim may indicate an ongoing risk, but the cause of the flooding and any changes since the event also matter.
Depending on the circumstances, an insurer may:
The period of claims history an insurer asks about can vary. Read each question carefully and provide the information it requests. If you are buying a home and do not know the full history, say so rather than guessing.
For a broader explanation of how location and flood risk affect cover, see our guide to home insurance and flood risk.
Flood Re is a scheme supported by the UK Government and insurance industry that helps make flood cover more available and affordable for eligible homes. You still buy your policy and make any claim through your insurer. The insurer can choose to pass the flood risk element of an eligible policy to Flood Re.
Flood Re charges the insurer a fixed price for that flood risk. It does not set the premium, excess or terms offered to you, and eligibility does not guarantee that an insurer will offer a policy.
The property and policy must meet Flood Re’s eligibility criteria. Among other requirements, the home must have been built before 1 January 2009, have a domestic Council Tax band or equivalent, and be used for private residential purposes in the UK.
The policyholder or their immediate family generally needs to live at the property for some of the time, although some unoccupied homes can qualify. An eligible second home is not automatically excluded. Landlord buildings cover for a home let to unrelated tenants will generally fall outside the scheme, while a tenant’s own contents cover may qualify separately.
The rules can be more detailed for flats and other property types. Your insurer or broker can check whether a particular policy qualifies and whether the insurer will use Flood Re.
You may still be able to find insurance. Some quote journeys cannot assess a property with a previous flood claim or a more complex flood history without further information. A broker familiar with flood risk may be able to approach insurers prepared to consider the individual circumstances.
They may look at what caused the flood, whether the source of risk has changed, and what measures have been installed to limit future damage. If you are struggling to find cover, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s Flood Insurance Directory can help you find a specialist provider.
Measures installed after flooding can help limit water entering a property or reduce damage if it floods again. Depending on the property and the cause of flooding, these might include:
Keep records of any work, including surveys, specifications and installation documents. These can help an insurer understand what has changed since the claim. Improvements do not guarantee a lower premium or acceptance, and some measures reduce the impact of a flood rather than the likelihood of one occurring.
Some insurers offer Build Back Better as part of their policy. Following an eligible future flood claim, it can provide up to £10,000 towards suitable property flood resilience measures in addition to standard repairs. Availability and terms vary by insurer, so check whether a policy includes it before buying.
Gather as much of the following as you can:
If you do not have every document, explain what you know. Clear information can make it easier for an insurer to assess the property, although it does not guarantee an offer of cover.
When comparing quotes, check whether flood cover is included, what flood excess applies, and whether the policy has any relevant conditions or exclusions. The price alone will not tell you whether two policies provide the same protection. Our flood cover page explains how we approach homes at flood risk.
Answer questions about previous flooding and claims as accurately as you can. Insurers may ask about your own claims, events at the property or both. If you are unsure what a question means or cannot confirm a date, ask for help rather than guessing.
Incorrect or incomplete answers can affect the premium or terms and, in some circumstances, a later claim. What happens depends on the question asked, whether reasonable care was taken and what the insurer would have done with the correct information.
Before switching insurers, check the new policy’s flood cover and excess. If your current policy covers a previously flooded home, it is useful to understand the replacement terms before deciding to move.
The National Flood Forum offers independent guidance to households affected by flooding, including advice on insurance and ways to make homes more resilient. This may be particularly helpful if the property has flooded more than once or you are finding it difficult to obtain cover.
Possibly. Repeated flooding may limit the insurers and terms available, but each property is assessed on its circumstances. Have the dates, causes, claim details and any resilience work ready when you ask for a quote.
No. You buy and claim on your home insurance through an insurer as usual. An insurer may choose to use Flood Re behind the scenes if the property and policy qualify.
Not necessarily. Suitable resilience measures may help an insurer understand how future damage could be limited, but they do not guarantee a lower premium or an offer of cover.
Answer the questions you are asked accurately. Insurers may ask about previous flooding at the property as well as insurance claims. If you are unsure how to answer, ask the insurer or broker before taking out cover.
A previous flood claim does not necessarily prevent you from insuring your home. The cause and history of the flooding, the property’s current risk and the cover an insurer is willing to offer will all affect your options.
Check whether Flood Re may apply, gather evidence of repairs and improvements, and compare the flood cover and excess as well as the price. If a standard quote journey cannot accommodate the property, a specialist broker may be able to help you explore other options.
Important information: This article provides general information. Cover, eligibility, premiums, excesses and terms depend on the insurer, the property and the policy documents. Flood Re eligibility does not guarantee that a particular insurer will offer cover or use the scheme.
Before purchasing home insurance, it's crucial to understand your home's flood risk.