Ministers must draw up a 25-year plan to tackle the growing threat to homes from flooding, the insurance industry claims.

The Association of British Insurers said the Government needs to bring in tougher planning controls to ensure new developments are not built in at-risk areas.

It is also calling for new homeowners to be given more information on which parts of the country are under threat of rising water levels.

The ABI said the Climate Change Bill should also limit the number of houses and businesses that can be constructed in high-risk areas.

And the group added that the Environment Agency should commission maps showing areas susceptible to flooding and make them publicly available.

The recommendations came in the ABI's report on this summer's floods in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire which will cost the industry more than £3bn.

ABI director general Stephen Haddrill said: "This summer's devastating floods highlight the urgent need for a long-term strategy based around more investment, national co-ordination and better land use planning.

"Insurers want to continue to provide flood insurance. The right decisions from the Government will ensure that flood insurance remains widely available and affordable in the UK."

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "The Government is committed to effectively managing flood and coastal erosion risk, and spending has nearly doubled in cash terms in the last 10 years to an estimated £600m in 2007-08.

"This will increase to £800m in 2010-11, with a steady rise in annual budgets between now and then.

"Our record levels of investment accompany a national programme of prioritised work that takes account of the changing climate to improve protection for future generations.

"In addition, Government is working with the Environment Agency with a view to producing a 20-year long-term programme.

"We have already announced that the agency will be taking on the strategic overview of all flooding on the coast, and we are currently seeking views from all key stakeholders on how they might take on this role for all forms of inland flooding."

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