| The risk of flooding is real for at least 5 million | | | | can be assessed accurately, rather than relying on |
| homeowners in the United Kingdom. These | | | | postcode alone. The Environment Agency also |
| homeowners may face difficulties from the | | | | provides an online flood warning service, which |
| devaluation of their properties, but also in adequately | | | | provides details of any flood warnings currently in |
| and affordably insuring their properties against flood | | | | force by region and severity. |
| damage. Some properties in particularly high risk areas | | | | If you are intending to buy a property in a flood plain |
| may be uninsurable as far as insurance companies are | | | | area, it may be advisable, in the first instance, to ask |
| concerned. This leads to obvious problems in | | | | the current owner about existing home insurance |
| mortgaging such properties, with buildings insurance a | | | | arrangements and to obtain a quote from the same |
| prerequisite, and even when insurance is considered, it | | | | insurer, who you know is willing to provide cover. |
| may come at a premium of 50%, or 60%, when | | | | Furthermore, it is also worth checking with the local |
| compared with properties of standard risk. Home | | | | council whether there any plans to implement, or |
| insurance excess levels are also likely to be much | | | | upgrade, flood defences in the area where your |
| higher and may run into thousands of pounds. | | | | chosen property is located. If there are, this may not |
| The good news for potential homeowners, however, is | | | | only allow you peace of mind, although even the best |
| that the Environment Agency now maintains a flood | | | | flood defence cannot be guaranteed 100% effective, |
| risk map of England and Wales. It's available to | | | | but may also result in a substantial reduction in your |
| insurance companies and members of the general | | | | home insurance premium. |
| public. The level of risk apportioned to any address | | | | |