Flood risk drives £239 home premium increase, research reveals
Compare the Market found homeowners in properties that have flooded paid an average of £437 for their premium, compared with the UK average of £198.
Flood risk has pushed home insurance premiums up by £239 for properties that have previously flooded, over double the UK average, research from Compare the Market found.
Homeowners in properties that have flooded paid an average of £437 for their premium, compared with the UK average of £198.
Those living near water paid £210 on average, £12 higher than the national average.
In January 2026, the highest premiums for previously flooded homes were in Northern Ireland at £754.
This was followed by Greater London at £669, the South East at £507, the East Midlands at £473 and East Anglia at £446.
For homes near water, premiums were highest in Northern Ireland at £557, Greater London at £314, the South East at £242, East Anglia at £239 and Scotland at £219.
Data also showed that about 6.3 million homes in England are at risk of flooding, with this number expected to rise to 8 million by 2050 due to climate change.
In Scotland, 320,000 residential properties are currently at medium risk, rising to an estimated 522,000 by 2100.
Northern Ireland has around 85,500 homes and commercial properties at risk, while nearly 300,000 residential properties are at risk in Wales.
Insurance costs have fallen year-on-year, with the average premium for previously flooded homes dropping by 11% from £495 in January 2025.
Homes located near water saw a 10% decrease, down from £235.
Amy Rootham, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Our research shows that people living in properties that have previously flooded are paying more than double the UK average for their home insurance, with a difference of £239.
“Even living near water can push premiums up ever so slightly, so you should always shop around and compare policies as this can help ensure you’re getting the right level of cover at a price that’s right for you.
“With millions of homes across the UK already at risk – and climate change expected to increase that number significantly in the coming decades –it’s becoming increasingly important for homeowners to understand their property’s flood risk and consider taking steps to improve resilience where possible.”
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