A recent poll commissioned by Climate Barometer has found that over three-quarters of the British public believe the UK is not adequately prepared for floods and other extreme weather events driven by climate change.

The survey, conducted in late October 2024 aimed to assess public perception of the UK’s readiness for severe weather ahead of the winter storm season.

What were the findings from the Poll?

• 78% of respondents think the UK is unprepared for climate change-related weather events, such as flooding. Of those, 26% feel the country is “not prepared at all.”
• Just 16% of participants believe the UK is making significant progress in adapting to climate risks, while 39% disagree, and 45% remain uncertain.
• Flooding emerged as the top climate concern, with 68% of respondents highlighting it as the primary risk. Other notable concerns include rising sea levels, coastal erosion, loss of species and habitats, severe storms, and food insecurity.

The poll’s results are worrying, particularly in light of a warning from the Environment Agency (EA) that one in four properties could be at risk of flooding by 2050 due to increasing rainfall and rising sea levels. Recent figures from the EA reveal that 6.3 million properties are already vulnerable to flooding—far more than initially estimated.

In response to the findings, a UK government spokesperson acknowledged the need for further action: “The flooding this winter has demonstrated the urgent need to better protect communities from the devastating consequences of extreme weather. That’s why we are investing £2.4 billion over the next two years to build and maintain flood defences, safeguarding homes and businesses nationwide.”

In the meantime, individuals and businesses are encouraged to implement risk mitigation strategies to minimise potential damage from extreme weather and ensure they have comprehensive insurance cover.

Is Flooding covered in my Insurance Policy?

Depending on the insurance policy whether flooding is covered. Flood insurance is normally covered in your building insurance policy, protecting the structure of your property. However, it is always best to check your policy wording.

A business interruption policy will pay out if your business is disturbed by the effects of the flooding. For example, your business premises flooded and it’s now unsafe for customers and suppliers to visit or, the flood has damaged stock inside.

There is a full suite of insurance policies, many covering the effects of any flooding. This is where using a broker like ourselves is invaluable, we will do a full risk assessment and determine the policy that is best suited for your business.

For a no-obligation quote or for a free review of your upcoming renewal, get in touch with us. Call us on 01234 242900 or complete our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.