Flood Re is a reinsurance scheme set up by the UK government and the insurance industry. It launched in 2016 to make sure people living in homes at high risk of flooding can get affordable home insurance.
How it works
When you buy home insurance, your insurer can choose to pass the flood part of the risk to Flood Re. The insurer pays Flood Re a fixed price for that, based on your home’s council tax band rather than its flood risk. If you then make a flood claim, your insurer pays you as normal and recovers the cost from Flood Re.
You don’t deal with Flood Re directly and you don’t apply to it. Your policy looks like any other. The scheme is funded by a levy on all UK home insurers.
Which homes are eligible
Flood Re covers most homes built before 1 January 2009. Homes built from that date are excluded, because the planning system since then has been expected to steer new homes away from flood risk or make them resilient. Businesses aren’t covered, and some other types of property – such as larger blocks of flats – may not be eligible. The Flood Re website has the detailed rules and a list of insurers that offer Flood Re-backed policies.
Why it ends in 2039
Flood Re is designed to be temporary. It’s due to run until 2039, and the aim is that by then insurance prices will reflect each home’s real flood risk – and that risk will have been reduced through better defences, planning and property flood resilience. That’s one reason resilience measures matter: a home that copes better with flooding should be easier to insure after the scheme ends.
Build Back Better
Since 2022, insurers who take part can offer ‘Build Back Better’ on Flood Re-backed policies. After a flood claim, it can fund resilience measures on top of the normal repairs – things like flood doors or water-resistant plaster. Ask your insurer if your policy includes it.
If you’re buying a home built before 2009 in a flood risk area, ask whether the current insurance uses Flood Re. It’s a good sign cover will be available to you too.
Last reviewed November 2026. This guide is general information about England, not legal, financial or insurance advice. Check the Environment Agency’s own services and speak to a professional before making decisions about a specific property.
