The summer of 2007 was one of the wettest on record. Nobody wants a repeat of last year, least of all those people whose homes and possessions were destroyed by floods. But unfortunately, the unpredictable British weather means that flooding is always a possibility. Despite this risk, thousands of homeowners fail to take steps to protect their properties.

The long term forecast from the Met Office predicts a ‘typical British summer’ with warmer than average temperatures and rainfall near or above average. It says the risk of exceptional rainfall on the same scale as the summer of last year remains a very low probability. But it cannot be ruled out.  "Seasonal forecasting is a difficult thing to do and this places some limitations on our forecasts,” says Brian Golding, Head of Forecasting at the Met Office.

Last July the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said the amount of properties affected by flood damage exceeded 20,000. Abbey Home Insurance estimated over 5,000 of those properties were uninsured. If you live in a high risk area home insurance with flood cover is essential. With several severe weather warnings already issued this year, is it really worth taking the risk?

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) most household policies provide flood cover. However, some, such as commercial policies, offer flood cover as an option for an additional premium. If you own a property and have taken out buildings and contents insurance you should be covered, but it is advisable to check your policy to make sure you have an adequate level of insurance. If you have not taken out buildings and/or contents insurance then you will have to pay for any flood damage to uninsured property.

The Environment Agency recommends you check your insurance policy replaces new for old, and to see if there is a limit on repairs. When considering home insurance it is also worth checking whether of not your insurance company offers alternative accommodation and/or a 24 hour helpline.

As well as taking out insurance to cover your home and possessions in the event of a flood, practical measures can also be taken to reduce the damage caused by flooding. However according to Norwich Union 95% of people hit by floods last year have still done nothing to prevent or reduce the stress and trauma of the same thing happening this year.

Norwich Union questioned 1,500 people across the UK that had been affected by flooding in areas such as Gloucester, Tewksbury, Hull, Sheffield and Rotherham. It found that 83% of them believe there is nothing they can do to protect their home from flooding other than moving furniture or using sandbags. This is surprising considering 43% of those affected by last summer's floods say their fear of flooding has increased since their experiences and because of global warming.

As Simon Black Head of Flood Mapping at Norwich Union points out, there is a clear need for more education and understanding about the benefits of flood resistant and resilient measures. “While home insurance will protect people from the majority of costs caused by flooding, no insurance policy can replace those significant personal belongings with sentimental value,” he says. “Similarly no policy will be able to spare families the inconvenience and stress of being forced from their homes while it is being dried out and repaired.”

For those who live in areas at risk of flooding the Environment Agency says a number of measures can be taken to reduce the damage caused in the event of a flood, making it easier and cheaper to clean up afterwards.

For example lay ceramic tiles on the ground floor and use rugs instead of fitted carpets. Raise the height of electrical sockets to 1.5 metres above ground floor level. Lime plaster is recommended instead of gypsum on walls and stainless steel or plastic, rather than chipboard kitchens. It is also advisable to position main parts of heating or ventilation systems, such as boilers, upstairs. Fit non-return valves to all drains and water inlet pipes and replace wooden window frames and doors with synthetic ones.

These are just a few of the measures that can be taken. And as Simon Black of Norwich Union points out: “If home owners can show they have taken steps to protect their properties insurers can take this into account when assessing future premiums and cover.”

So if you live in an area at risk or flooding, protect yourself, ensure you have adequate home insurance in place. Keep all your important documents in a water tight container and make sure your insurance hotline telephone number is easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Also take steps to reduce both the physical and emotional affects of flooding. As Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure Home Insurance, says: “There is no quick fix for flood damaged properties and the destructive power of water can turn lives upside down and damage personal belongings beyond repair.  Taking precautions and being prepared for the unexpected, whenever it should strike, is crucial."