Does Home Insurance Cover Flood Damage and Storm Damage?

What is Home Insurance and How Does It Work?

Home insurance helps homeowners avoid losing money from unexpected events. This includes issues like fire, theft, and bad weather. In the UK, there are two main types of insurance policies for homes.

• Buildings Insurance – This insurance covers the physical parts of your home. It includes the walls, roofs, windows, and anything that is fixed in place.
• Contents Insurance – This insurance protects your personal items inside your home. It covers furniture, electronics, and clothing against damage or theft.

Both kinds of insurance are key for keeping your home and things safe. You should look at your policy to see if it covers flood damage or storm damage. This is very important if you live in a flood risk area.

Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

Most home insurance policies cover storm damage. The level of cover may vary based on the insurer. Storm damage typically includes harm from heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail, snow, and lightning strikes.

What Does Storm Damage Cover?

Storm coverage in buildings insurance policies usually includes:

• Roof damage from strong winds
• Damage to buildings from fallen trees or debris
• Effects on windows, doors, and walls
• Water damage from leaks during the storm
• Costs for temporary accommodation if your home is unlivable
• Repairs to damaged outbuildings like garages or sheds, based on your policy
• Emergency roof repairs to prevent more harm inside

What Is Not Covered?

Storm damage is often covered by home insurance. But, home insurers may have some exclusions that could apply.

• Damage to hedges, gates, and fences.
• Regular wear and tear or poor maintenance, such as blocked gutters causing water to overflow.
• Damage that happens slowly rather than from a quick incident.
• Certain flat roofs might not be covered by standard policies.
• Damage to outdoor furniture, patios, and driveways.

Does Home Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

What Is Considered Flood Damage?

Flood damage happens when flood water enters a property. This often occurs due to bad weather.

• Heavy rainfall is causing drainage systems to overflow.
• Groundwater flooding occurs due to rising water levels.
• Rivers spill over, resulting in coastal floods.
• Flash floods happen from quick storms.

Buildings Insurance and Flood Cover

Most buildings insurance policies include flood cover. This means they will pay for:

• Fixing the damage caused by flood water.
• Drying and cleaning the home.
• Offering a place to stay if the house is unlivable.
• Repairing basements since they often get flooded.
• Rebuilding if there is serious damage to the structure.

Contents Insurance and Flood Cover

To keep your personal items safe, you need contents insurance. This type of insurance helps cover:

• Furniture, appliances, and electronics damaged by flood water
• Personal items such as clothes, jewelry, and books
• A spot for keeping saved items
• Costs to replace ruined carpets, curtains, and furniture
• Payment for food that spoiled due to power cuts during a flood

What If You Live in a High-Risk Flood Area?

If you live in a place that often floods, it can be tough to get affordable flood cover. Some home insurance companies may require a high excess. Others might limit the level of cover they provide.

The UK government and insurance companies began the Flood Re scheme to help homeowners in these areas.

What Is Flood Re and How Does It Help?

Flood Re is a government program. It makes flood insurance less expensive for homes in places with a high risk of flooding. Insurance companies can shift the flood risk element of their policies to a central pool. This approach helps reduce costs for homeowners.

Who Is Eligible for Flood Re?

• Homeowners living in England, Wales, and Scotland
• Properties built before 2009
• Properties used mostly as homes
• Properties insured with a private homeowner policy

Who Is Not Eligible for Flood Re?

• Landlords with their commercial buildings
• Houses built after 2009 because they can handle flooding
• Leasehold flats, if they are included in a block policy

What Should You Check in Your Insurance Policy Documents?

It is important to read your insurance policy documents. This helps you verify that you have the correct level of cover. Be sure to pay attention to:

• Coverage for flood and storm damage
• Any exclusions about water damage or escape of water
• Check if home emergency cover is included
• The amount of high excess you may need to pay
• Support options like an insurer helpline for emergencies
• Extra coverage for outbuildings, garages, and other structures.

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How Do You Make an Insurance Claim for Flood or Storm Damage?

If your home gets damaged by flooding or a storm, follow these steps to file an insurance claim:

• Contact your home insurance provider as soon as possible.
• Take photos and videos of the important damage to show proof.
• Keep damaged items until the insurer checks them.
• If it is safe, make quick repairs to prevent more damage.
• Save receipts for any emergency repairs or hotels.
• Check if your home insurance covers a place to stay while repairs happen.
• Work with an insurance assessor if you need help to move your claim along.

Most insurance companies have a helpline for urgent claims. You can find it on their web browser portals.

Correct as of 10 February 2025