Norwich Union (NU) has commissioned a digital map of Britain to show exactly which areas are at risk from flooding.
NU will use the map to tailor individual premiums according to the property's accurate risk of flood.
Data for the map will be collected using an airborne radar system, as part of the 'NEXTMap Britain' programme.
The data will be used to produce a digital elevation model - a map which shows the height of the land above sea level.
This will then be combined with a flood software model to determine where floods are likely to occur, and the probable extent of them.
NU pricing director Clive Bolton said: "One of the major obstacles to better flood prediction has been the lack of consistently accurate information on the height of land surrounding rivers. By investing in this technology, we'll have the best available information about the risk of floods.
"We'll also be able to better understand whether a customer has been a victim of a one-off occurrence or is at risk from potentially frequent flooding.
"Equally, we may find that some properties, thought previously to be at risk, may not flood because of the height of the land."
The project is being carried out by NU in partnership with Intermap Technologies Corporation, Willis and HR Wallingford.
