Incentivising household action on flooding

Options for using incentives to increase the take up of flood resilience and resistance measures

This report explores the full range of incentives that might be available to Flood Re and others to drive an increase in the take up of flood resilience and resistance measures.

Most households in the UK will never experience flooding, but nationally it is a significant social and economic issue. Over the last 10 years, an average of 19,000 homes have made flood-related insurance claims, and both the financial and non-financial costs of a flood can be significant and longlasting.

Insurance plays an important role in mitigating these impacts in two ways:

• For those at risk, household insurance can provide peace of mind that support will be available in the case of flooding; and
• For those who have been flooded, support from insurers provides the finances and organisation needed to repair and reinstate their property and belongings and re-house residents whilst repairs take place.