insuring a house by a river

[johnbikemad]

any body had a problem insuring a property near a river

[DSJ]

Ours in on a river & it has been insured by the same company for twelve years. No problems.

However, I daresay a home owner in Worcestershire or parts of Gloucestershire might have problems after the flooding in those areas last summer.

[bednobs]

we live next to a river - no problems.
if its a house you are thinking of buying look on the environment agecy website - they will tell you if its n a flood area. or simply ask the current residents if they have insurance

[johnbikemad]

thanks for your answers, i have lived in my property for 20 years now and i always change company every year so i get a good price but recently i have found out that you have to declare if you live within 400 meters of a a water course or a river and i am about 70 mts from a river ,failier to disclose this could invalidate my insurance from any claim made so i'm still searching it's a clause you only find exists when you try to make a claim.

[bednobs]

they must ask you the question though surely? They cant just expect you to come up with every possible threat your home might be under to just tell them about? Its probably failure to disclose it when asked

[johnbikemad]

Usually it is covered in the declaration , people just don't read it ,also the onus is always on the policy holder then the insurance have a get out clause to cut down the claim or reject it :(

[bushbaby_de]

Hi John, I am in a similar situation to you. I live in a first floor flat not from from the Thames and normally switch to a cheaper insurer every year. However after last summers floods I cannot find anyone to take me on new and my current insurer added �100 on to my premiums. Seems they took a hit from last summer and are trying to avoid more of the same and recoup their losses where possible. As if a first floor flat is ever going to flood!!!

[fredpuli47]

First floor, bushbaby_de ? Look, I was next to the Thames in a flat which was on the 7th floor and had this problem when all I wanted to do was insure the contents, the building being insured by the landlords ! Some insurers are adept at taking the urine.It took a bit of arguing to get the underwriters to see sense.

[bushbaby_de]

I know its stupid isn't it. But then I'd rather be safe than sorry, not three days after renewing I had a burst pipe and had to make a claim!! (Ironic it wasn't the kind of flooding they were worried about LOL)