We need more flood-proof doors, say Government and insurers
11th October 2016

Hundreds of thousands of UK homes would benefit from installing flood-proof doors and other simple resilience measures, even in areas already protected by public flood defences, according to the Association of British Insurers.

The comment follows criticism of insurers by the Environment Department for failing to prepare for future floods, however both agree that more could be done by households to protect themselves.

The Government report, The Property Flood Resilience Action Plan, says such basic defences could save over £5 for every £1 invested and goes on to say that insurers should make flood-hit properties more resilient rather than simply restoring them to their original state. The Association replied that insurers’ primary role is to get homes and businesses back on their feet, however it says it does work hard to increase consumer understanding of flood risks.

The ABI’s comments follow a recent survey published by the organisation which revealed that fewer than a third of house-hunters ask about flood risk to a property, less than those who ask about ease of parking or the Council Tax banding. The organisation has launched a series of symbols indicating levels of flood risk that it is urging estate agents and property sites to use to make potential buyers more aware.