Homeowners warned to take extra precautions

Darren Black, head of home insurance at Confused.com, advises homeowners to protect their homes from the risk of flooding: "With heavy rain, strong winds and snow sweeping across the UK, it is essential that homeowners do everything that they can to weather-proof their homes. In fact, the combination of the recent snow melting and the excessive rainfall, means that many homes are now at risk of flooding.

"We advise households, including those who have been lucky enough to escape flooding in the past, to protect their homes, by:

Reviewing their existing home insurance policies to make sure that they are covered for flood risk and that their contents value is up-to-date

Thinking about what can be moved now - in terms of furniture or sentimental items, such as photographs - to limit the effects, should the worst happen

Preparing a flood kit for emergencies, including insurance documents, contact details, a first aid kit, waterproof clothing and a torch

"However, it is not only households in flood-risk areas who need to take precautions. Some of the more recent heavy rainfall has affected areas traditionally not seen as flood-risk areas. With this in mind, Confused.com encourages consumers to avoid rain damage, by:

Making sure that their guttering is clear, to prevent excessive rainfall from flowing back into the eaves of their houses

Making sure that the drains in their back gardens, especially patios or paved areas, are cleared of any debris and able to cope with a deluge