House insurance question ...

expat_jo

We are looking at a house to buy. It "backs onto a brook" (according to the ea details)

The brook flooded in the floods of 2007 but not the house. The local council are carrying out maintenance to stop any future flooding.

Can I assume that the cost of house insurance would be more expensive than if it didn't? Should it put me off this house?

Thanks in advance.

dacouch

Try getting some quotes on the home which should give you a definitive answer

expat_jo

Thanks. I didn't know you could do that if I don't live there ...

*Scarlett

How far away is the brook from the house and how close did the flood water come? Is this the only time it has happened?

Most companies will ask about flooding in the area and if there is a body of water within a certain distance possibly 200m?

You possibly won't be able to do this on-line as the insurer will have certain assumptions regarding flooding but you could try a local broker or ring the insurers. Possibly try the company that the current owners have the property insured with.

The fact that the council are doing something to prevent it happening again should help but you would possibly need to know exactly what measures they have taken.

Get as much information as you can about this incident and then you can try to get a few quotes.

Hope this helps.

lisyloo

Best advice is to check it out before you buy the house.
If necessary ask the current owners who their insurance is with.

You may find you are excluded from on-line quotes in some cases and have to go through manual underwriting.
This doesn't automatically mean it's more expensive, but coudl make it harder to search for quotes in future.

huckster

I also have a house which is probably about 30 metres from a brook and this flooded in 1998, although the house was not affected. It is still registered as a flood warning area, even though it has not flooded since. Since then, the brook has been subject to regular maintenance, to ensure that water can efficiently flow through and avoid water backing up. There is also some warning device that somehow alerts the environment agency, if the water reaches a certain level.

My experience is that you are restricted in your choice of Insurers and some won't quote. The premiums will depend on the risk level perceived by the Insurers. They will ask how many time during the last (say) 10 years has the brook flooded. Has the house ever been subject to flooding etc. The environment agency will have some records, if you phone them, so that you can inform the Insurers.

expat_jo

Thanks all. I am glad I considered it before I move! Off to do some research (and write some questions to ask when we next look around the house ...)