The UK Government’s proposed flood cover scheme needs more work, according to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA).

The association is generally supportive of the Flood Re program, but in a written consultation it notes gaps in cover and implementation issues.

It says the exclusion of small businesses, particularly mixed-use properties such as bed and breakfasts, must be addressed.

BIBA also takes issue with so-called “genuinely uninsurable” properties being excluded. It says there are questions over the definition.

A £100 million ($170 million) gap between the Flood Re pool’s limit and reinsurance’s beginning must be resolved, according to the association. And it says there is no indication who will pay the bill if the £2.5 billion ($4.24 billion) limit on reinsurance is breached.

The European Commission would need to approve Flood Re, but similar attempts by other countries have faced opposition.

“BIBA has been working with the insurance industry and Government to facilitate a solution that ensures flood insurance cover is available to those that need it most,” CEO Steve White said.

“We believe excluding small businesses – which employ about 14 million people – would be a mistake, because this could make finding affordable cover difficult.

“Furthermore, the point of the agreement is to provide affordable cover for those that need it most. By excluding ‘genuinely uninsurable properties’, those that need it most would not be able to access cover.”