Insurers responding promptly to flood victims (Dec 2000)

The insurance industry is responding promptly and effectively to the challenge of dealing with thousands of properties damaged by recent storms and flooding. Reacting to the heavy rainfall, which has left thousands of homes and businesses flooded.

Insurers are:

Providing 24-hour, 7-day a week helpline services to give immediate advice to policyholders and to enable emergency repairs to be carried out with minimum delay.

Mobilising national networks of claims inspectors and loss adjusters to visit affected properties as quickly as possible to assess the damage and offer advice.

Make interim payments to affected policyholders to help reduce the immediate disruption and trauma.

Mary Francis, ABI's Director General, said: "The appalling recent weather is a graphic illustration of the importance of adequate home insurance. Insurers are pulling out all the stops to respond quickly and efficiently to the large numbers of calls and claims from policyholders. "Insurers will do whatever they can to get the claims moving as quickly as possible".

"In some of the most badly affected areas it will inevitably be some time after the floods recede before the full extent of the damage can be accurately ascertained. In the meantime, interim payments can be made to get temporary repairs and emergency work done".

“Looking to the future, insurers wish to provide affordable cover against weather-related risks. But if floods and storms become more frequent and more severe than in the past, action needs to be taken now in the affected areas to ensure the industry can continue to provide the service it currently does. That means good flood defence strategies, and adequate investment in flood defences in vulnerable areas".

"It also means that planning guidance to local authorities must guard against unprotected and irresponsible building on floodplains, and that guidelines must be fully enforced. We welcome John Prescott’s intention to issue fresh guidance on these lines as soon as possible. It is also important that buildings are built to the best possible standards so as to resist the worst effects of the weather. We are working closely with the Environment Agency and the Government on all these points”

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