Following the recent floods, shopkeepers and homeowners may not be getting a fair deal from insurers, says a leading Sussex business adviser.

Martin Pollins, managing director of chartered accountants PRB Martin Pollins, said businesses in the UK should look at how firms in the US are covered.

Addressing business owners at a Sussex Enterprise forum in Lewes, he said many flood-affected businesses were faced with at least four major problems: getting the business back to normal; managing cash flow; making an insurance claim and making sure that when the existing insurance policy expires, renewal insurance could be obtained on terms that did not bankrupt the business.

Many business owners in flood areas are now discovering that their insurance companies either will not provide cover or raise the premium by up to ten times.

Mr Pollins said the Government should consider introducing a flood insurance programme based on that in the US.

He said: "In the US, they have introduced the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help businesses get cover in areas subject to flood damage.

"It is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance. Until recently, such coverage was generally unavailable from private-sector insurance companies.

"Participation in the NFIP is based on an agreement between local communities and the federal government. If a community will implement and enforce measures to reduce future flood risks to new construction in flood hazard areas, the government will make insurance available.

"Maybe the UK should start to look at something similar. With the reality of global warming, perhaps floods will become a common occurrence.

"Someone at Downing Street should start to look at this alternative for small businesses. They need help - now."

PRB Martin Pollins has produced an information pack to help with insurance claims.

For a free copy call Amanda Smith on 01444 458252.