There are currently around 200 flood warnings in place across the country, with the south west, Wales and Yorkshire worst affected.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that many businesses in high-risk areas have found it too difficult to obtain insurance against flooding, something which is only set to worsen when the current ‘universal cover’ ends in June 2013. Many small businesses who have been unable to get insurance are now liable to pay for repairs or replacements of anything damaged in the recent floods.

The FSB is urging the government to do more to protect small businesses in areas by building better flood defences and working with insurers to reduce costs in high risk areas.

John Walker, National Chairman of the FSB commented:

“It is unacceptable that small firms are paying out what could amount to tens of thousands of pounds because they can’t get adequate insurance protection from their insurers. Nor is it acceptable that flood defences aren’t robust enough to withstand the rain. This can’t carry on year-after-year, so the government and insurance industry must reach a decision on the universal cover as soon as possible.”