By Christian Abbott

Copyright birminghammail

Wet and windy weather could cost UK households £30,000 this autumn if they fail to make the proper preparations, an expert has warned. The Met Office has recently issued several yellow weather warnings across the UK, and while the West Midlands and Birmingham narrowly avoided them, the region was still blitzed with heavy rain and winds. According to the latest research from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, two-thirds of households living in designated flood risk zones are unaware that they fall into this category. Read more: Nationwide sends October 1 warning to customers This means thousands of families could unknowingly be paying for home insurance that won’t actually protect them when severe weather hits. Holly Andrews, Managing Director at KIS Finance , warns that failing to disclose flood risk to your insurer could invalidate your policy altogether. “Far too many homeowners don’t realise the importance of understanding their property’s flood risk, and unfortunately, this can have devastating consequences. “If your home falls within a designated flood risk zone, this can have a direct impact on your insurance cover. Failing to disclose this crucial detail when arranging or renewing your policy could leave you dangerously exposed, as insurers may refuse to pay out on claims or even void the policy altogether. “Essentially, you could lose the financial safety net you thought you had in place right at the moment you need it most. And flooding doesn’t just damage your property, it can derail your wider finances. “Homeowners often end up taking on debt or dipping into long-term savings to cover repairs when insurance doesn’t pay out, and this can have a knock-on effect on their financial stability for years. “Thankfully, checking your property’s risk status is simple and free. The Environment Agency provides detailed online flood maps that allow homeowners to search by postcode and see if they fall into an at-risk category. “This quick check gives you the information you need to make sure your insurance policy is accurate, valid, and offers the protection you expect. If you do find that your home is in a flood risk area, it’s essential to inform your insurer straight away and ensure that your cover reflects this reality. “Being transparent about your risk may increase your premium slightly, but it’s far better than facing the long-term financial consequences of voided cover. “What many don’t realise is that rejected claims can affect your ability to secure insurance in the future, potentially limiting your options for years to come. “And being proactive could save you from enormous financial loss and emotional stress in the future. It’s always better to know your risk and be fully protected than to discover too late that your cover won’t pay out.” As outlined by Birmingham City Council , the Environment Agency’s Flood Map for Planning shows limited flood risk in this area. However, there are some small areas of flood risk along Plants Brook as it flows through Royal Sutton Coldfield . There is an area of Flood Zone 3 to the north of the watercourse west of the railway line with several properties at flood risk along Clifton Road, Ryton Close, Fawdry Close and Garrard Gardens. There are also several areas of Flood Zone 2 along the watercourse with several roads and properties at flood risk, including along Queen Street, South Parade and Ebrook Road. There is also an area of fluvial flood risk in the east of the area along Langley Brook and its tributary Churchill Brook. This area is mostly fields with a few isolated buildings and local roads at flood risk and some flood risk to the M6/A38 where these cross the watercourse.