'Defences required' for flood-prone properties

Homeowners who live in an area that is prone to flooding should ensure they fit defences to protect the property from such an event, an insurance expert has said.

According to Graeme Trudgehill, technical and corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba), houses in flood risk regions should be kitted out with these fortifications in order to be eligible for home insurance.

"If there are no claims after a couple of years their excess will be very low and the premiums should be very fair as well," he suggested.

Homeowners will "helping" themselves and their broker in the long term by adequately protecting their property, he added.

People who do not want to live in an area at risk from flooding may want to consider a self buildproperty.

Last week, the Institution of Civil Engineers stated that flood defences in Britain still need to be improved after last summer's devastating deluge.