Flood risk puts home insurance cover in doubt

The risk of flooding means that some people might not be able to get home insurance for their property, one industry body has warned.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), half a million properties in flood prone areas might be blacklisted by home insurance companies unless the government does more to protect them.

The insurance body also found that three-quarters of people think that not enough is being done to tackle flooding.

Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: Planning for the future is essential if we are to minimise a repeat of last year's terrible floods, and to ensure that flood insurance protection remains widely available.

Yesterday, Simon Lamble, product director for insurance comparison website Confused.com, warned people not to advertise their home to thieves if they leave it empty for sometime.

He suggested that anyone going away on holiday should inform their neighbours so they can keep an eye on the property.