Surface water flooding occurs when heavy rainfall congests the drainage systems.  It can happen even miles from a river or stream, when there is nowhere else for rainwater to go.

Whilst a flood often doesn’t last very long, the damage it does can be devastating. Blocked drains, heavy rainfall, insufficient drainage systems and burst water mains all affect surface water flooding.

You can check https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk to see if you’re at risk of a flood in your area.

 Surface water flooding can still be difficult to predict, but the Environment Agency and insurance companies utilise the tools available to calculate surface water flooding risk.

Generally, cover for surface water flooding is included in your insurance, but you’ll need to check your policy wording to be sure and specify to your broker if you want this included, when you take it out.

Flood Insurance covers you for removing debris, professional fees (surveyors’, solicitors etc), the repair or replacement of damaged furniture and belongings, alternative accommodation when applicable whilst you can’t live in your home and the drying out, repairs and restoration of your property’s fixtures and fittings.

Following a flood, you can start the clean-up right away – you don’t need to wait for your insurer to assess the damage – just so long as you take photos of damaged items and samples of things such as carpet and furnishings, to evidence later. Your damaged items should be replaced under your policy if you do have flood cover.

If you have a ‘new for old’ policy, your insurance company should cover the replacement of all damaged items with new equivalent items (other than clothes and bed linen, where there’s usually a deduction for wear and tear). Most policies include new for old cover.

Talk to your broker to determine which policy would be best for you.