OXFORD is one of the worst areas in the UK affected by flooding, according to an analysis of insurance quotes.
MoneySuperMarket looked at 1.25 million home insurance quotes on its website in 2018 and found that 1.7 per cent of houses in Oxford have flooded previously - well above the national average of 0.7 per cent.
It represents an increase from 2017 when 1.6 per cent of people asking for a quote said their homes had been flooded previously.
The price comparison site put the increase down to last year's Beast from the East which brought 21cm of snow.
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Oxford was found to be the eighth worst city for flooding in the UK, behind others including Hull and Carlisle.
Crewe remains one of the least-likely areas of the UK to flood, with just 0.1 per cent of homes affected by water damage.
Home insurance premiums increase by 18.5 per cent on average following a claim for flooding.
But MoneySuperMarket said most Brits are not taking basic precautions to help protect their home.
Only a third (34 per cent) are aware that by not insulating their plumbing, they may not be entitled to a full pay out in the event of water damage.
Brits also largely also don’t realise that failing to turn off water to outside taps (29 per cent), not clearing excess snow and ice from guttering and drains (26 per cent) and failing to maximise loft and wall insulation (17 per cent) can be taken into consideration by an insurer in the event of a claim.
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Tom Flack, Editor-in-Chief at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Our data shows that home insurance premiums jump by almost a fifth after a claim, meaning that the extreme weather forecast for this week could end up costing Brits a lot of money.
"As well as taking basic steps to protect and maintain your home against the elements, if you do live in an area prone to flooding, it’s important to consider what you can do to minimise the risk of damage to your possessions."
