The long running saga of flood risk insurance provision continues.
The latest statement from Natural Environment and Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon has done nothing to improve the mood of property owners/householders in flood risk areas; the latest advice is for households to take on the responsibility of flood prevention to protect their properties from future damage.
Despite all of the reports, including the Pitt review, projecting that the risk of flooding increasing significantly across the UK, the Government is prepared to cut funding and withdraw from the statement of principles between the Government and the insurance industry, which guaranteed homeowners in flood-hit areas could buy flood cover.
According to Benyon, households should invest in their own flood defences including air brick covers, non-return valves and seals for cat flaps. Whilst no one can doubt that these defences will make some difference, they will not protect the property entirely, especially from the larger flood events that are now appearing all too frequently. Furthermore, and more important is that fact that people with improved home defences may still not be able to access or afford insurance following the Government’s failure to renew the agreement in place with the insurance industry.
A Government is there to protect its citizens and whilst it is easy to be critical in opposition I agree with Labour’s view that it is unfair to leave homes and businesses to unfettered risk from flooding. The Government must alter its stance and needs to get back around the negotiating table with the insurance industry and work on solutions for the benefit of the estimated 5.2m properties in England that are at risk from flooding.
If your property has been affected by flooding, or is in a flood risk area you need specialist flood risk insurance.
The Property Insurer
