UK floods: Home insurance policies at risk

Government talks with insurance companies cause worries, as many home owners are suffering from Britain’s recent wet weather

17:26 27 November 2012

It is not certain what the result will be from the government engaging in talks with insurance companies, as ministers are reportedly being asked to find funds to secure the insurance industry.

 

This comes as thousands of home owners, whose properties are at risk of flooding, understand their house insurance policies could end next year.

 

It is thought that if there was no answer found, a market could develop where home owners may not be able to afford costs to cover their property against the likes of flooding.

 

When speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mary Dhonau, a flood consultant, said: “Two hundred thousand people deemed at significant risk of flooding could find their insurance is removed altogether.”

 

She added that unless there was an answer found by the government and the insurance industry “the future for the flood victims looks very bleak”.

 

Those people who are forced out of their homes because of flooding have to contact their house insurance providers and enter into discussions for repair work, as well as live in temporary accommodation.

 

As the band of rain and wind is predicted to move to the north of England on Monday, there are over 800 homes, particularly in the South of the country, left damaged from flooding because of the torrential rain.

 

The heavy downpours and high winds of the past week have led to the deaths of some Britons, as surging water levels and flooding has affected many parts of the UK. Last week thousands of people were left without power, as well as thousands of motorists being affected by flooding.