BIBA welcomes the report into the experiences of many residents and businesses affected by last year’s floods and shares the ambition to work with stakeholders to provide easier access to suitable and affordable insurance products to help those living in flood-prone areas.
BIBA has highlighted previously the need for insurance brokers to have more ready access to Flood Re for their clients, particularly as many brokers are rooted in their community and understand the risks and location. They can be pivotal to helping more people find insurance cover against flood. We will work with Flood Re, insurers and software houses to continue to improve access.
Signposting is a proven means of improving consumer access to insurance as seen through the voluntary agreement between Government, BIBA and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on age and insurance and separately on protection insurance. With this in mind, we look forward to working with the ABI and Flood Re to create a new signposting service to ensure that any household that is eligible for Flood Re but denied cover because of flood risk, or offered insurance only with a flood exclusion, can be referred to a specialist broker who can help them secure affordable, exemption-free cover.
Similarly, we welcome the opportunity to jointly create and promote a voluntary code of practice for our respective members.
We agree with the point made that Government should consider more direct ways to increase the take-up of contents cover for tenants in high flood risk areas. The suggestion of guidance on flood risk and the means of mitigating its effects through insurance is welcome and will help improve uptake.
In summary, we are pleased that the detailed report presents positive recommendations which if implemented will benefit those most impacted by flooding when used alongside flood repair and prevention measures as well as resilient claim repairs made by insurers.
BIBA’ specific comment on recommendations can be found here
Read the full report here
-ENDS-
