Consumers should be prepared to protect their property as flooding incidents are increasing and they are not just affecting homes and businesses near rivers or coastal areas, according to an insurance provider.

The Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee has recently published a report on the Environment Agency, regarding flood risks and found that funding for flood defences needs to increase to £1billion in the long term to take account of climate change.

With rising sea levels and more extreme weather, flood insurance may become harder to get although the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has promised to cover households in significant flood risk areas if improvements are made to defences within five years.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that ten per cent of the land area of the UK, covering up to two million homes and 185,000 businesses, is currently in danger of flooding.

"The insurance industry has done a deal with the government. If they commit to increase flood defence, we will continue to offer cover. The government has done a tremendous amount of work in this area. But they can't stop now, they have to continue investment," said Jon Sellor from More Than insurance.

There are some things homeowners can do to prepare for the risk of flooding, according to the insurer, including monitoring the Environment Agency's weather warnings, putting valuable items upstairs and preparing a flood kit (with important documents and warm clothes).