What is flood insurance?

Flood cover is now built into home insurance policies as standard. People who live in higher-risk areas pay higher premiums and higher excess on flood-related claims. Premiums on a three-bedroom, semi-detached house in the South West are around £20 to £30 more in high-risk areas than in low-risk areas nearby.

How do I know if my home is "high-risk" for flood?

More than two million properties are at risk of flooding. You can check whether yours is one of them by entering your postcode at the Environment Agency website here. Insurers have their own maps, however, which may not always overlap.

What is covered by flood insurance?

Home insurance should pay for all flood damage but you must contact your insurer on its emergency helpline if you are hit. You are expected to take reasonable measures to protect property – taking moveables upstairs, for example.

Does the current row threaten all premiums?

No. People in high-risk areas could see premium hikes or be refused flood cover. But those in low-risk areas should not be hit and may see premiums fall as insurers shed an expensive burden.

When could we see changes?

Not before the end of the year, according the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Are more floods likely?

Yes. In 2004, the Government's Foresight Future Flooding report estimated that annual average flood damage could increase by between two and 20 times by the end of the century as a result of climate change.

Does Britain spend enough on flood defences?

In a recent report, the National Audit Office found that the Environment Agency was maintaining just 57 per cent of flood defences in “target condition”.

Spending on these will increase to £650 million in 2008/9, a minimum of £700 million in 2009/10 and £800m in 2010/11. The Association of British Insurers (ABI), which called for annual spending of £750 million before this summer’s floods, says that this is inadequate and funds of £800 million a year should be made available now.

What can householders do to protect their homes from flood?

The ABI has a number of guidelines here. These include:

- replace concrete floors with wood and cover with tiles

- replace chipboard or MDF kitchen and bathroom units with plastic equivalents

- replace gypsum plaster with more water-resistant material, such as lime plaster or cement render

- move service meters, boiler and electrical points well above likely flood level

- put one-way valves into drainage pipes to prevent sewage backing up into the house

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