Flood Risk – Take Home

The 2007 floods were unbelievable. Anyone watching the television coverage couldn’t fail to be horrified by the extent of the damage, not to mention the sad loss of lives. There were families who lost virtually everything within their homes and repairs to make homes fit to live in went on for months in some cases. Whole families were managing to live in small Homeavans or piling in with relatives, many of whom had suffered through the floods too. Over 17,000 policyholders had to be housed in temporary accommodation, including many elderly and infirm people.

Businesses were affected and vehicles damaged beyond repair. Farmers and small holders suffered and crops and animals were lost.

The number of claims in Gloucester and Hull alone rose to 180,000 for flood damage to houses and businesses small and large. It was said that the number of claims dealt with in just eight weeks were equal to those of a four year “normal” period. Small wonder, then, that an amazing total of 3 billion pounds was needed to cover claims.

Since that awful time, there have been flood sHomees, but thank goodness, nothing so devastating. But what if it happens again? What steps have been taken to ensure the damage is lessened?

In the opinion of some of the people living in the affected areas, 80% were worried that the danger of a repeat episode was more likely and 75% were disappointed by the apparent lack of action to tackle flooding problems. Almost all of the people thought that improvement of the drainage system should be number one on the list of priorities and tougher planning controls related to the building of new homes was called for.

There is a government target for the building of 3 million brand new homes by 2020. Many felt that there should be a reduction in that number if there was any likelihood of this leading to more houses being at risk of flooding.

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers’ expressed concern and said that the findings reinforced their calls for flood management strategy on a long-term basis. They are particularly concerned that the problem of surface water drainage should be addressed. Future planning is absolutely essential in an attempt to minimise the damage of the 2007 floods and, vitally, to ensure that insurance for flood protection remains a widely available product.

There were over 500,000 homes at significant flood risk, according to the Environment Agency. The Association of British Insurers, alarmingly, said that unless the government could make plans for their adequate defense in the event of flood, their members could not necessarily commit to offering insurance on those dwellings In addition to this, unless the government takes action regarding more strict enforcement of planning controls in order that new houses are not build on flood plains, some houses could become uninsurable

If homes are not insurable, then they are, quite literally, unsaleable and next to worthless. A lender would not grant a mortgage on a house that couldn’t be insured.

Let us hope that action will be taken to address these issues without further delay.

In the meantime, insurance against flooding is essential. Those who were covered adequately still suffered in the awful floods, but time and insurance companies are great healers. Those that were not covered suffered with losses from which they may never fully recover.

For all insurance matters, an independent insurance adviser will be able to find the right cover for you, from a wide range of insurers. Get on-line now and find out what’s what. Home Insurance Facts provide great deals on ( http://www.home-insurance-facts.co.uk ) Home insurance for its clients in the uk. Please visit our site for more helpful information . Also visit Our sister site Brokers Online at ( http://www.life-assurance-bureau.co.uk/home-and-contents/).
Home Insurance Facts provide great deals on ( http://www.home-insurance-facts.co.uk ) Home insurance for its clients in the uk. Please visit our site for more helpful information . Also visit Our sister site Brokers Online at ( http://www.life-assurance-bureau.co.uk/home-and-contents/).

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Submitted on: 2009-02-01