The Flood Checklist – Download & Print to Protect Your Home or Business
18th Jun 2025
Download our free, printable flood checklist to help you stay covered and prepared in Manchester, London, and other high-risk areas.
Harris Balcombe and Urban Water created this Flood Checklist to help you prepare before the rain starts falling and the water gets flooding.
Flooding in the UK is becoming more frequent, more intense, and a whole lot more expensive if not managed properly. According to the Environment Agency, around 5.7 million properties in England are at risk, and climate change is not helping matters. Cities like Manchester and London are exposed to flash floods, and ageing drainage systems are putting homes and businesses at risk of damage and closure.
That’s exactly why Harris Balcombe and Urban Water have teamed up to create a free Flood Action Checklist. It’s a straightforward, downloadable guide that you can print and stick on your fridge at home or your office noticeboard. Its sole purpose is to help you stay one step ahead of the next storm.
WHY WE CREATED THIS CHECKLIST
Floods rarely come with a polite warning. They hit hard and fast. The sad truth is that people don't realise the scale of the problem until it’s too late, when they realise that their insurance wasn’t up to scratch or they didn’t have a plan.
“We created this checklist to help people take action before they’re knee-deep in flood water. We want to give people simple, practical tools to stay ahead of the risks. We feel it’s best to be prepared and to stay one step ahead of the flood should it happen. It’s about staying in control before things spiral.”
“After a flood, many people discover their insurance doesn’t fully cover what they thought it would. This checklist gives you the right questions to ask and steps to take before a disaster strikes. Whether it’s parts of Greater Manchester or zones in South and East London, or areas around the river Thames, we’re seeing growing flood risk where people least expect it. Our goal is to help residents and business owners act now, not after the damage is done.”
One side of the checklist will help you get clear on your insurance (thanks to Harris Balcombe); the other side will help you understand your flood risk (courtesy of Urban Water).
WHAT’S INSIDE THE FLOOD ACTION CHECKLIST
- Flood Insurance Checklist (Harris Balcombe): 10 quick, key questions to help you understand what your policy actually covers.
- Flood Risk Self-Assessment (Urban Water): A 12-point strategic walk-through to spot the weak spots in your property.
- Contact details for expert help from Harris Balcombe & Urban Water: Just in case you need someone in your corner.
WHY THE FLOOD CHECKLIST MATTERS
This part of the checklist is from Harris Balcombe. It’s all about making sure your flood insurance is actually fit for purpose. You’d be surprised how many people think they’re covered, but then find out that they’re not when they try to claim. Download the checklist and tick these off to stay one step ahead of the flood, so you’re not caught out when the worst happens. Better to be prepared, we'd say!
The Flood Insurance Checklist from Harris Balcombe
1. Does your buildings insurance include cover for flood damage?
Why this matters: The truth is that many policies don’t include flood cover by default, and without it, you could be exposed to massive repair costs.
Action Tip: Check your policy schedule for the terms ‘flood’ or ‘storm’. If you’re unclear, jump on the phone and call your insurer to request written confirmation.
2. Does your contents insurance protect furniture, electronics, and valuables?
Why this matters: Water damage to personal items is often a total wipeout. Contents cover helps you replace your essentials.
Action Tip: List your high-value items and ensure their replacement value is accurately reflected in your policy.
3. Does your policy cover temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable?
Why this matters: Flooding often forces people to leave their home. This cover prevents out-of-pocket expenses for hotels or rentals.
Action Tip: Ask your insurer if there are any limits that apply for accommodation and how to claim quickly if needed.
4. Have you told your insurer about any previous flood history?
Why this matters: Not disclosing any flood history can invalidate your policy, even if the damage is unrelated.
Action Tip: Call your insurer to confirm your record is complete and accurate. More importantly, keep written proof of any updates.
5. Have you updated your insurer about any property changes (e.g. basements, extensions)?
Why this matters: Making changes like new basements or conversions may increase risk. So, it’s key to declare them, otherwise it could limit your coverage.
Action Tip: Contact your insurer in writing after any renovation or structural changes to ensure your changes don’t affect flood exposure.
6. Have you checked if your home is eligible for Flood Re support?
Why this matters: Flood Re can significantly reduce premiums in high-risk areas, but it’s not automatic.
Action Tip: Visit www.floodre.co.uk, and use their eligibility checker to compare insurers.
7. Do you know how to contact your insurer 24/7 in an emergency?
Why this matters: Being able to quickly report any incidents is critical for claim acceptance and speed.
Action Tip: Save your insurer’s emergency claims number in your phone, and keep a physical copy in your grab bag.
8. Have you stored your policy documents somewhere safe and waterproof?
Why this matters: When a flood strikes you’ll need to be able to get hold of your documents easily. So keeping them waterproof or digitising them is key.
Action Tip: Use cloud storage and a waterproof pouch to double up on your protection.
9. Do you know your insurer’s stance on ‘build back better’ improvements?
Why this matters: Some policies allow you to rebuild using more flood-resistant materials, which can save you money and stress in the future.
Action Tip: Be sure to check your policy for upgrade options, and ask your insurer for pre-approval in case of a rebuild.
10. Do you have Harris Balcombe’s number saved to get support before you claim with your insurer?
Why this matters: Speaking to a loss assessor first can help you get the best possible outcome from your insurer, while avoiding the stress and headache that comes with filing a claim.
Action Tip: Save 0330 022 9179 to your contacts under ‘Flood Insurance Help’ for fast access during a crisis.
Now, the hard truth is that just because your property hasn’t flooded before doesn’t mean it’s in the clear. This section of the Flood Checklist, created in partnership with our friends at Urban Water, will help you spot the red flags, like damp smells, dodgy drainage and water pooling that can lead to future problems. Tick off what applies, and if six or more checklist items ring true, it’s worth speaking to Urban Water to conduct a Professional Flood Risk Assessment. The great news is that you will get a 10% discount if you mention ‘Harris Balcombe’.
Flood Risk Self-Assessment from Urban Water
1. Is your property close to a river, stream, canal, reservoir, or the coast?
Why this matters: These are common sources of potential surface or tidal flooding. Being in close proximity means you may be at higher risk.
Action Tip: If the answer is yes, consider installing flood barriers or door guards, and monitor flood warnings regularly.
2. Has your local area experienced flooding in the past, even if your building wasn’t directly affected?
Why this matters: If your local area floods, you may still face blocked roads, sewage backups, and infrastructure failure.
Action Tip: Speak to your neighbours, or check your local council archives to verify local flood history near your location.
3. Have neighbours or nearby roads been flooded during storms?
Why this matters: If water is reaching nearby properties, your home could be next.
Action Tip: Monitor flood patterns and document events when you can, to support future claims or improvements.
4. Have you checked if your property is at risk of flooding?
Why this matters: Risk awareness is the first step in prevention, and is often overlooked until it’s too late.
Action Tip: Use the Flood Risk Map at www.urban-water.co.uk/map/flood-risk-map, and keep a record of your results.
5. Based on the map, is your property located in a flood risk area?
Why this matters: Check to see if you’re in a designated flood zone, because it affects insurance premiums, planning rules, and emergency preparedness.
Action Tip: Discuss your flood zone rating with your insurer, and take steps to mitigate risk.
6. Is your ground floor or basement used for living, storage, or critical equipment?
Why this matters: These areas are the most vulnerable to water ingress, and the most expensive to recover.
Action Tip: Relocate valuable items above ground level, or, if possible, invest in basement sump pumps and alarms.
7. Does your building have a damp smell, visible mould, or signs of water damage near the lower walls?
Why this matters: These symptoms almost always point to past or ongoing moisture problems, which will worsen during a flood.
Action Tip: Address the dampness now with proper ventilation and waterproofing treatments.
8. Do you notice water pooling near the building, driveway, or car park after heavy rain?
Why this matters: Standing water normally indicates poor drainage or grading, which could increase the chance of flood entry.
Action Tip: You can re-grade the soil or install French drains or surface drains to redirect pooling water.
9. Do your gutters, downpipes, or drains regularly overflow?
Why this matters: If your drainage is struggling to handle regular rain, it simply won’t stand up to a flood.
Action Tip: If safe and easily accessible (either by yourself or a professional), clear debris from drains seasonally, and consider upgrading to higher-capacity systems.
10. Is your garden or outdoor space on a slope that directs water towards the property?
Why this matters: Direct runoff from sloped surfaces can channel water directly to your foundations.
Action Tip: Install retaining walls or landscape barriers to divert water flow away from your home or office.
WHO SHOULD USE IT?
This checklist is for anyone who wants to be one step ahead of the flood – from:
- Homeowners near rivers, canals, or the coast
- Tenants in basement flats or built-up areas
- Business owners with stock, equipment, or team members at risk
- Landlords who want to protect their investment and their tenants
If in doubt, just get in touch. You can contact Harris Balcombe for a free, no-obligation assessment on 0330 022 9179, or start your claim now to make sure your insurance policy fully covers you or your business.
Reach out to Urban Water on 0203 488 8687, or visit www.urban-water.co.uk if you want to find out how exposed your property really is, and how to safeguard it from flooding.
HOW TO USE IT
- Step 1: Download the checklist using the link below.
- Step 2: Print it out and stick it somewhere you’ll see it, like your fridge, hallway, or noticeboard.
- Step 3: Go through it. Tick what applies to you or your business, and take action where you need to.
- Step 4: Pass it on to a neighbour, a friend, your colleague or letting agent. Help keep others protected.
Protecting your property starts with just one download. And a few ticks.
Download it. Print it. Tick it.
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