Homeowners in flood areas warned to protect themselves to get insurance
7th July 2008
Homeowners that live in flood prone areas and are concerned about paying premiums for insurance have been advised to fit defences.
The British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba) has said that by fitting adequate flood barriers homeowners will be helping themselves in the long run.
Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at Biba, explained that they have a scheme that their brokers sell which means that if homeowners do "fit those defences then it means that they can get insurance. If there are no claims after a couple of years their excess will be very low and the premiums should be very fair as well."
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), insurers handled 180,000 claims and paid out over £3 billion, last summer.
They also had to arrange temporary accommodation for 17,000 people whose homes were affected by flooding. The vast majority are now back in their homes.