With a high number of flood warnings in force across England and Wales - and with more extreme weather conditions forecast - householders will be battening down the hatches in a bid to protect their homes. However, it's not just your property that is at risk if flooding does strike, as your vehicle could be prone to getting damaged too.

Counting the cost of water damage

When Britain was hit by severe floods back in 2007 - one of the worst weather events of the last 50 years - more than £35m* was paid out by UK insurers for vehicles either caught in the flood waters or abandoned by drivers who had tried to cross flooded roads or fords.

Flood damage can be costly

Repairs to flood-damaged motorbikes are often expensive, with many vehicles being written off for health and safety reasons. Even a small amount of water can cause a significant amount of damage to your engine - and this damage can take months to show itself as corrosion causes mechanical parts to fail.

"It's not just homes that should be the focus of people's concerns when floods occur," says Mike Pickard, head of underwriting at Esure. "Many motorists actually drive their vehicles into trouble by trying to cross water and mis-judge its depth. It sounds simplistic to say ‘don't drive into water,' but observing that water could save you from the hassle and inconvenience of a vehicle that might have to be written off."

With the number of flood warnings continuing to rise, bikers must ensure they understand how to avoid flood water damage.

Top flood tips for motorbike owners

•Visit the Environment Agency's website before you start your journey to check for flood warnings.
•If you are aware of a flood warning in an area where your motorbike is parked, move it to higher ground rather than leaving it to chance. As well as the risk of damage to your vehicle by leaving it in a flooded area, it may also be a hazard or cause an obstruction to emergency services.
•Adjust your route to avoid any roads that are prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain.
•If you have to drive through a flooded area, take care. Do not attempt to drive through water if you are unsure of the depth.
•Test your brakes as soon as you can after driving through water.
•Carry a fully-charged mobile phone with you so you can request help if you break down.
•If your bike has been in a flooded area for a prolonged period, get it checked out at the earliest opportunity.

Check your cover

Severe weather conditions mean an increased likelihood of you needing to claim on your insurance, so take the time now to check through your policy to ensure you have adequate cover in place.

Monetary constraints in the recession have prompted some individuals to consider cutting back on breakdown cover, but by doing this, you are putting yourself at risk if you do run into trouble.

Find more information on motorbike insurance and compare the cost of cover here.