Insurability is the main barrier to provision in Canada where flood cover is excluded from the majority of standard home
insurance policies (Swiss Re, 2010b). Previous assessments of the potential to introduce flood insurance in 1976 and 1983
determined that rates would be prohibitive or would require heavy government subsidy. Recently the Insurance Bureau
of Canada concluded similarly that the small numbers of potential policy holders makes the provision of cover difficult
(Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2010) and a pilot project in Winnipeg failed after 2 years because only 30 people signed up.
A recent Swiss Re report recommended bundled insurance similar to the UK example but with built in risk based premium
and deductibles (Swiss Re, 2010b).
Perceived insurability has also been an issue in Australia where flood risk is ever present but a low percentage of properties
(2.8%) are at risk. Cover for river flooding is subject to adverse selection and therefore usually unavailable or unaffordable
for those at high risk. Coastal and storm surge insurance is rare but insurance for flash flooding is widely available and
has a relatively high penetration (60%) (CCS, 2008).