Impact of natural disasters

Home Insurance and Flooding: What’s Covered and How to Make a Fire or Flood Claim

Floods and fires can cause serious damage to your home and belongings. In the UK there are over 34,000 house fires every year, and more than 200 people die in house fires. At the same time, millions of homes in England are at risk of flooding. Many people don’t know what their insurance covers if something goes wrong. This guide explains what is covered, how to make a claim, and what help is available if you live in a flood‑prone area.

Home Insurance and Flooding: What’s Typically Covered?

Flooding vs escape of water

• Flooding is when water comes into your home from outside, like from a river or heavy rain.
• Escape of water is when water leaks from inside your home, such as a burst pipe.

Your insurance may treat these differently, so it’s important to know which applies to you.

What flood insurance usually covers

• Repairs and drying out – Insurance pays to dry and repair walls, floors, and fittings.
• Replacing belongings – If you have contents insurance, it pays to replace damaged furniture and personal items. A “new‑for‑old” policy pays for new items; an “indemnity” policy pays what the old item was worth before the flood.
• Debris removal and fees – Insurance covers the cost of clearing debris and pays fees for builders and surveyors.
• Temporary accommodation – If your home isn’t habitable, your insurer will pay for temporary accommodation.

Remember: if you want to cover both your house and its belongings, you will need both buildings insurance and contents insurance.

What’s not covered

Insurance usually won’t pay if:

• Water damage happens slowly over time or because gutters or pipes weren’t maintained.
• The water comes through leaks in roof valleys or external pipes.
• Damage is caused by rising groundwater.
• Gates, fences or outbuildings are damaged.

Always check your policy for the exact details and any excess (the amount you pay yourself).

What to do if your home floods

1. Stay safe. Turn off electricity if it’s safe and move valuables upstairs.
2. Call your insurer quickly. It’s important to report damage as soon as possible.
3. Take photos or video of all damage before cleaning up.
4. Don’t throw away damaged items until your insurer has seen them.
5. Keep receipts for emergency repairs.

Your insurer may send a loss adjuster – someone who works for the insurer and assesses the damage – to decide how much the claim should be. They may also send a surveyor – a building expert – to check the repairs needed.

For more information on buildings and contents cover options, see 1st Central’s buildings, contents and combined buildings & contents pages.

Fire Damage Insurance Claims: When and How to Claim

What to do in the event of a fire

1. Get everyone out and call the fire brigade.
2. Call your insurer immediately.
3. Take photos of the damage and list damaged items.
4. Keep receipts for emergency repairs.

What your policy covers

• Fire damage – Most policies pay to repair or rebuild parts of your home damaged by flames, explosions, lightning or earthquakes.
• Smoke damage – Your policy should also cover damage caused by smoke.
• Heat damage – Damage from heat without flames (for example, scorching or melting) is usually not covered.
• Alternative accommodation – If your home is uninhabitable, your insurer will pay for you to stay elsewhere while repairs are carried out.

Fire claims often involve specialist cleaning because soot and smoke particles can contaminate items. A professional cleaning team uses special machines to remove odours and toxins.

What Type of Home Insurance Covers Flood or Fire Damage?

• Buildings insurance covers structural elements such as walls, roofs, floors, fitted kitchens and bathrooms. It pays for repairs after fire or flood damage and usually includes debris removal and professional fees.
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• Contents insurance covers your belongings: furniture, clothing, electronics and other personal items. It protects these against floodwater, smoke, soot and fire.
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• Buildings & contents insurance combines both in one policy, providing comprehensive protection. 1st Central offers combined cover with optional add‑ons such as full accidental damage and legal expenses.

What Support Can You Get If Your Property Is in a Flood-Risk Area?

Understanding flood‑risk areas

Living in a high‑risk area doesn’t mean you can’t get insurance, but premiums may be higher and coverage limits stricter. To check your risk, use the Environment Agency’s online flood risk map.

Other help and tips

• Specialist brokers can help you find flood insurance. Price comparison websites may not highlight flood cover, so Citizens Advice suggests using a specialist broker.
• You may get discounts if you have flood defences or sign up to flood warnings.
• Local councils sometimes offer grants for flood defences and publish flood‑risk strategies.

Preparing your home

You can reduce flood damage by making property‑level improvements:

• Fit flood‑resistant doors, temporary flood barriers or raised thresholds.
• Apply damp‑proof coatings or membranes to walls and floors.
• Replace air bricks with self‑closing air bricks or covers to stop water entering.
• Install flood‑resistant valves on drains and pipes to prevent sewage backflow.
• Raise electrical sockets, fuse boxes and wiring to at least 1.5 metres.
• Keep valuables on high shelves and fix heavy items like TVs higher up.

Some insurers may reduce premiums if you have these measures in place, but check with them before making those changes.

Floods and fires are frightening, but knowing what your insurance covers can help you recover. Buildings insurance protects the structure of your home, while contents insurance protects your belongings. Typical flood cover pays for drying, repairs, debris removal and temporary accommodation. Fire cover pays for repairs and replacing items damaged by flames or smoke. Always read your policy, update your details if necessary, and know what to do if disaster strikes.

Ready to protect your home? Get a home insurance quote from 1st Central and choose the right cover for peace of mind.

FAQs:

Does my home insurance cover flood damage automatically?
 Flood damage is usually covered by buildings insurance, but your belongings are only covered if you have contents insurance. Some policies exclude certain types of flooding. Check your policy or ask your insurer.

What’s the difference between flooding and escape of water?
Flooding is water entering your home from outside – for example, a river bursting its banks. Escape of water is water leaking from inside your home, like a burst pipe or broken appliance. Insurance may have different rules and excesses for each.

Can I claim for smoke damage if there was no fire?
Yes, many policies cover smoke damage, but they may not pay for damage that happens slowly over time. Always report smoke damage to your insurer and keep evidence.

What evidence do I need for a fire damage insurance claim?
Take photos or video of all damage before tidying up. Keep a list of damaged items and receipts for repairs. A fire brigade report can also help.

Will my premiums increase after a flood claim?
Insurers often increase premiums after a claim because they see your property as higher risk. However, taking steps like installing flood defences or joining Floodline can sometimes reduce costs.