The British Insurance Brokers' Association has issued a plan to help consumers and companies deal with the threat from flooding, which could have an effect on home insurance.

In its guidelines Biba wants members to continue to offer home insurance to customers whose homes are at a greater risk of flooding and for the government to establish a Cabinet committee with a remit to develop the country's flood defences and implement the recommendations of Sir Michael Pitt's recent report.

The organisation is also calling for those in power to review the guidance on insurance for all, including a good practice guide for providers of social housing and to make the advice available to all to help insurance for rent schemes grow for low-income households.

In addition, the Floods and Water Bill must be a more pressing priority for parliament, in addition to any flooding legislation being a single, unifying act that addresses all sources of flooding.

Eric Gilbraith, Biba's chief executive, said the government should announce its intentions as soon as possible to enable providers to continue offering cover to consumers.

"Currently, I believe that access to insurance cover for property [in areas of susceptible to flooding] is widely available from Biba members. To ensure that this can continue, we would urge the government to announce its action plan, taking forward the recommendations as soon as possible," he stated.

Last summer's floods left approximately 48,000 homes underwater and cost insurers more than £3 billion in payouts.

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