As Flood Action Week takes place across the UK, brokers have been urged to inform clients about the Association of British Insurers’ (ABI) updated floods guide.
The publication details the support insurers provide at each stage of the recovery process and highlights how the Build Back Better scheme can help make homes more resilient during repairs.
The guide, Responding to Floods, is intended to help individuals and families navigate the aftermath of flooding. It outlines immediate safety steps, offers advice on managing insurance claims, and provides information on working with loss adjusters and contractors throughout the repair process.
Flooding continues to be a significant risk in the UK, with thousands of homes and businesses impacted annually. In the first six months of this year, weather-related damage claims for homes and possessions totalled £424 million.
The Environment Agency estimates that 6.3 million properties in England are at risk from flooding caused by rivers, the sea, or surface water. Despite this, ABI research indicates that one in four homeowners do not know if their property is at risk.
Brokers should advise clients to familiarise themselves with the six key steps outlined in the guide. These include starting a claim by contacting their insurer, arranging for assessment of damage and temporary accommodation if necessary, and beginning the clean-up process.
The guide notes that loss adjusters will coordinate professional cleaning and, where eligible, offer Build Back Better funding up to £10,000 for resilience measures such as raised electrical sockets, water-resistant plaster, and flood doors.
Louise Clark (pictured above), manager of general insurance policy at the ABI, said, “Flooding can turn lives upside down in a matter of hours, leaving people facing the daunting task of rebuilding.”
A recent study by Flood Re and JBA Risk Management found that simple flood protection measures could save the UK up to £740 million annually.
The research highlighted that terraced houses, bungalows, and ground-floor flats – often located in lower-income areas – stand to benefit the most from property flood resilience (PFR) interventions. These measures, which include practical upgrades like airbrick covers and pumps, can significantly reduce the financial and social impact of flooding for vulnerable households.
The same study determined that nearly three-quarters of the UK’s housing stock – about 21.8 million homes – are structurally suitable for PFR measures. Of these, approximately 3.1 million homes are exposed to flood depths where such interventions are most effective. The findings suggest that national adoption of resilience measures could have a substantial impact on reducing flood-related losses and improving recovery outcomes for millions of households.
Brokers should also discuss with clients the benefits of the Build Back Better scheme, which enables eligible households to invest in flood-resilient improvements. These upgrades include water-resistant materials, raised electrical sockets, and flood-resilient kitchens, helping to reduce the impact of future flooding.
“Our Responding to Floods guide is designed to offer clear, practical support and explains how insurers can help every step of the way – from the moment flooding hits to restoring and strengthening homes for the future,” Clark said.
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