FOLLOWING the devastating floods over the winter, there is at last some good news for homeowners affected by flooding.

Last month saw the launch of the Flood Re scheme, which should enable people who live in areas susceptible to flooding to get cheaper home insurance.

But research by home insurance expert Admiral suggests more needs to be done to educate those affected as only 11 per cent in the South West have heard of the scheme.

To mark the launch of Flood Re, Admiral surveyed homeowners about their views on flooding and its impact.

It found that despite 79 per cent in the South West believing severe flooding events will become more frequent in coming years, 14 per cent said they worry about their own home flooding.

Relatively few people surveyed (seven per cent) said they have suffered a flood in the past, but it is clear that for those that were, it was devastating.

Admiral asked them the worst thing about their own flooding experience.

The highest number (21 per cent) said the destruction of their furniture and carpets while 16 per cent said it was the emotional stress it caused.

Head of household at Admiral, Noel Summerfield, said: “Although Flood Re won’t prevent flooding, it is good news for homeowners who have been previously flooded or who have had difficulty getting insurance because their home is at risk of flooding.

“However, our research shows only 11 per cent in the South West have heard of the scheme, despite living in one of the regions that should most benefit from it.

He continued: “Flood Re works by charging all home insurers a fee and it’s this fee, along with other charges to insurers using the scheme, that pays for any associated flood claims.”

“The Environment Agency estimates that one in six homes are at risk of flood in England alone.

“Most experts agree that incidents of flooding are likely to become more commonplace, so perhaps those considering buying a home should do more research around the risk of flood.”

Although Flood Re is intended to help people at risk of flooding find cheaper premiums, the majority of those surveyed think it is fair they pay more for their insurance.

In the South West, 66 per cent agree this is fair.

Most of the people Admiral surveyed would be completely put off buying a house if there was a risk it might flood and 61 per cent in the South West said they would never consider buying a home that was at risk of flooding, no matter its price.

A house that is prone to flooding was ranked as the issue most likely to put off a home buyer in the South West, 83 per cent of those surveyed said it would put them off buying a house, while the same percentage said they would be put off by a house in a high crime area.

According to the Association of British Insurers, insurance companies paid out £1.3 billion in flood claims last year and the average cost of a claim was £50,000.

So who do people in the South West think has responsibility for preventing homes from flooding in the first place?

According to those surveyed by Admiral the main responsibility lies with the UK government (62 per cent said this).

Noel Summerfield, said: “Some people have been with the same insurer for many years paying very high premiums often coupled with high excesses.

“If customers at the highest risk of flood are unsure if they can save money then we’d encourage them to shop around and even consider switching insurers before their renewal.”

Anyone who wants more information about Flood Re can visit floodre.co.uk or admiral.com/flood.