Flood more costly than fire and burglary

Homeowners that are flooded stand to lose on average £28,000 compared to just over £1000 if they are burgled, Environment Agency research has revealed.
Even the cost of fire damage to a household was on average four times less than flood damage.

Peter Quarmby, Environment Agency flood risk manager for Thames region, said: “A flood is the perfect burglar – it enters your house uninvited and leaves nothing behind except distress and financial hardship.”

The average losses from a flood are £28,000, compared to £7,300 for fire and £1,033 for a burglary.

These results contrast with a survey by the Environment Agency that found only 6% of all households have taken steps to prepare for flood, compared to 80% for fire and 54% for burglary. 2

Mr Quarmby added: “People install alarms in their home to warn of fire and burglary but surprisingly few people have taken any steps to help safeguard their home against flooding.

“Many people don’t even know whether or not they are at flood risk. We can’t always stop flooding but we can take a few simple steps to be better prepared and reduce the impact.”

• Find out whether you are at risk by visiting the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or by calling 0845 988 1188.

• Sign up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service and will give you early warnings that could save your life or property. The flood warning comes by phone, text or email – alerting you to the risk of impending flooding.

• The Environment Agency is also encouraging people to check that their buildings and contents insurance covers flood damage; to prepare a flood checklist; and find out how to limit the damage to furnishings, materials and the structure of their property, by making their home flood resilient.

Mr Quarmby said: “The Environment Agency is working hard to protect people and communities – over the last two years, we have maintained existing flood risk assets and completed 102 new flood defence schemes in England and Wales providing increased protection to over 58,000 properties. But people can do more to protect themselves.”