Fresh flood warnings serve as home insurance reminder

After a dry Glastonbury, many would be forgiven for thinking that the floods of July 2007 are behind us. But according to reports, one whole month's worth of rain fell in just 24 hours across some areas of the UK yesterday.

The Environment Agency has been forced to re-enact the events of last July as it announced several flood warnings for today and yesterday. Around five million people, in two million properties live in flood risk areas in the UK according to the Environment Agency whose job it is to issue warnings and reduce the likelihood of flooding.

The flash floods of last year took everyone by surprise as excess surface water caused houses to flood that were not previously classed as at risk. According to statistics, around 49,000 households were flooded between May and July last year in circumstances that made the floods hard to predict.

As a result, many people were left traumatised by the loss of their homes, personal belongings and in extreme cases, loved ones. Some of these flood victims are still living in temporary accommodation while their homes are made inhabitable once more.

The Government has reacted to the severity of the floods of last year with reports reviews and action, including the completion of an additional 34 flood defences. And, as the UK experiences yet more July rain, Fairinvestment.co.uk would like to take the opportunity to remind home owners of the importance of adequate home insurance.

Fairinvestment.co.uk spokesperson, Rachael Stiles, said: "It is easy to think that floods won't happen to you, but let the rain of recent days serve as a reminder of the damage that floods did to thousands of homes this time last year.

"As household bills increase, it could be easy to sacrifice home insurance, but home and contents insurance is not something to be sacrificed. Your home is probably your most valuable asset and to forgo insuring it could be disastrous."