Full Breakdown
New Homes Built in Flood Zones Could Become Uninsurable, Aviva Chief Warns
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Housing Expansion Ignoring Flood Exposure
Amanda Blanc, chief executive of insurance group Aviva, told the BBC’s *Big Boss Interview* that a large share of England’s upcoming housing stock is being sited in areas vulnerable to flooding.
Scope of the Risk
Aviva’s research estimates that 115,000 new homes will be constructed in flood-prone zones over the next decade. The analysis of builds between 2022 and 2024 found one-in-nine homes classified as medium to high flood risk. Looking ahead, the firm projects that nearly one-third of homes built in 2024 could face some flooding by 2050, with one-in-seven at medium to high risk as extreme weather intensifies. The Environment Agency reports that about 6.3 million homes and businesses across England are already at risk of flooding. A recent Met Office assessment linked the rise in severe wet winters—such as the 2023-2024 season—to climate-driven shifts that have turned once-in-80-year events into roughly once-in-20-year occurrences.
Industry Perspective and Official Response
Blanc emphasized that flood-prone locations are well-mapped and that developers should adopt construction methods that reduce vulnerability. The BBC has sought comment from the UK government, but no response was recorded at the time of reporting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's very well known where these flooding areas are. Let's think very carefully about homes that are being built.” — Amanda Blanc
These remarks highlight growing concerns within the insurance sector that current building practices may create a future class of properties that are difficult or impossible to insure.