Floods: Home Insurance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she expects insurers to pass on the full reduction in Flood Re contents-only premiums to consumers.
Answered by Emma Hardy
On 1 July 2026 this Government announced reforms to ensure Flood Re remains fair, sustainable and focused on supporting the lower and average-income households who need it most. Without reform, rising claims and reinsurance costs would place increasing pressure on the scheme and its affordability.
From April 2027, Flood Re will halve the premium it charges insurers for contents cover in Council Tax Bands A and B from £52 to £25. The reforms are specifically designed to reduce the cost of flood insurance for lower-income households with contents, and the Government expects eligible households to benefit from lower premiums. Insurers are expected to pass these savings on to consumers.
Flood Re will work with insurers and lenders to introduce Flood Performance Certificates, helping households better understand their flood risk and ensuring that if they take action to make their homes more resilient it is reflected in their insurance premiums. Flood Re will pilot Flood Performance Certificates by the end of 2026, with wider rollout to follow.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →