A COUPLE from Moorland who were forced to evacuate their home during the floods earlier this year have been able to resume their lives this week. Richard said: “We don’t have any choice but to carry on living here because the house now has no resale value, so we might as well spend the rest …
Home owners in the UK whose properties are at risk of flooding who have seen the price of their insurance rise in recent years have been urged to speak out. as reported on Friday, 02 May 2014 by Property Wire the Premier global property news service. They are being warned that government plans could leave …
A citizen science project suggests climate change really has increased the risk of flooding in the UK. The issue has been highlighted by the recent floods, amid a January that saw double the normal monthly rainfall in parts of England. Prof Myles Allen presented evidence of a link between floods and climate change at the …
Owners of homes at risk of flooding are frequently refused flood insurance or if accepted it will be with huge annual increased costs and probable total inability to sell; they also invariably suffer with long term anxiety and other health problems.
Disaster; waiting to happen. Not IF just WHEN. See research document on Flood and Family Health Click pics to see more.
Flood Re only covers owner-occupied homes built before 2009 that are worth less than £320,000… The Flood Re 2015 scheme is a public relations disaster waiting to happen for the insurance industry, according to Insurance expert Hiscox chief executive Bronek Masojada.
On 4 December an article by Aidan Kerr, head of property at the Association of British Insurers (ABI), in the Yorkshire Post reported that widespread concerns have been raised over recent weeks after it emerged small businesses and properties built after 2009 will be excluded. The announcement means yet another group of property-owners being excluded …
Vulnerable New Homes Excluded from Flood Insurance Read More »
A proposed new scheme for flood insurance in the UK may not be sustainable because the impacts of climate change have not been taken into account, says a report by the Grantham Research Institute says Energy & Environment Magazine on 19 August 2013. The policy paper was published by the Centre for Climate Change Economics …
New Flood Insurance Scheme May Not Be Sustainable Read More »
House of Commons Managing Flood Risk Para 50. Agreement that the Government will “prevent unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk”. Evidence to the Committee’s previous Future Flood Management Legislation inquiry supported this approach—for example, an insurance company urged that “clear attention” be given to curbing construction in areas exposed to high flood risk. …
Hundreds of thousands of households in flood-prone areas will be guaranteed affordable flood insurance after the government and insurance industry agreed a deal today. (27 July 2013) After negotiations with the Association of British Insurers (ABI), this new agreement replaces the current ‘Statement of Principles’ that runs out at the end of July and will …
Defra and Association of British Insurers reach an agreement on flood insurance Read More »
IN an independent Scotland, the rain would keep falling regardless; says Professor Alan Werritty on Friday 21 June 2013. Whether we vote Yes or No in next year’s referendum, the nation’s future will likely be at least as wet as its recent past, and probably much more so. The best educated guesses are now suggesting …
A future Scotland could be awash with climate problems Read More »
Times & Star on Friday, 31 May 2013 reported that Cockermouth residents in flood-risk areas could be left without house insurance within weeks if talks between the Government and the insurance industry are not resolved, Workington MP Sir Tony Cunningham has warned.
Is your home identified as being a high flood risk? If so it may be tricky to arrange home insurance, but there are options says money.uk on 8 April 2013. The ABI (Association of British Insurers) is calling for: a rigorous planning system that prevents developments in high flood risk areas; sustained, long-term flood defence …
Where to get home insurance for high flood-risk homes Read More »
Government accused of game of bluff with insurers as thousands of flood-risk properties could soon lose cover reports The Guardian on 31 March 2013. The chairman of a national charity that helps householders affected by floods has accused the government of “playing with people’s lives” as it looks increasingly likely that thousands of homes will …
Failure to reach flood insurance deal is ‘playing with people’s lives’ Read More »
The Government must step up its efforts to seal a deal with property insurers over flooding before a June deadline to stop home-owners being left with uninsurable, unsellable homes, the original Express & Star March 26, 2013 5:10 pm article can be seen here The statement of principles under which flood-threatened properties can be insured …
Developers are planning tens of thousands of new homes in areas at high risk of flooding, it can be revealed. Thousands of homes planned for flood plains; Analysis by The Sunday Telegraph of planning applications that the Environment Agency objected to because of flood risk has revealed developers last year submitted more than 3,000 separate …
Some high-flood risk households could pay excesses of up to £20,000, according to AA figures Thousands of homeowners in high-risk flood areas are paying excesses of more than £10,000, the Financial Times reports. The paper cites figures from insurance broker AA Insurance, which said that thousands of policyholders face excesses of “significantly” more than £10,000, …
Insurance Post says: Flood prone homes facing £10k excess Read More »
As the countryside comes under more pressure from developers, we meet the victims of a failed flood system in Ruthin, North Wales says as an excellent article in The Telegraph ‘Everyone blames everyone else, and it’s the ordinary people in the middle who suffer’ What they actually said was there was only a ‘once-in-a-thousand-years’ possibility …
In August 2012, Professor David Crichton, an expert on ‘Flooding issues’, updated his earlier academic paper stating that England should copy Scotland in flood risk prevention. He calls for planners, developers and architects to be “legally liable when people are flooded” this he says is a way of preventing further high risk flood zone and …
Flood danger spots identified by Environment Agency and reported by The Whitehaven News at 13:36, Friday, 09 November 2012. MORE than 60 Cumbrian communities are living under the threat of flash flooding – double the number in the rest of the entire north west region. It includes almost 20 communities in the west of the …
On Thursday, 25 October 2012 Phil Coleman of Times & Star reports that two Cumbrian towns have been chosen to pioneer a new generation of flood defences. Officials at the Environment Agency accept that floods are the number one natural hazard facing the UK, with climate changes and extreme weather putting more properties as risk.
Joanna Hopwood says my “uphill house” flood insurance shot up by 35% over ‘flood risk’ from a ditch as Aviva uses new technology for premiums as reported on 07 October 2012 by Jeff Prestridge of this is money.co.uk website . Aviva Britain’s biggest insurer, is facing a backlash from a minority of customers over the …
Insurers advise home owners on flood preparations, says Jan Harris on September 24, 2012. With sixty-five areas of England on flood alert, the Association of British Insurers is warning home owners to keep insurance documents and emergency contact details in a safe, dry place. Contacts for gas, water and electricity providers should also be kept …
Insurers advise home owners on flood preparations Read More »
Government’s new environment secretary Owen Paterson on Friday 14 September 2012 when speaking to Anna Burdett of The Cumberland News advised that the practice of building homes on land that has flooded in recent years as “idiotic, people should become more aware when buying a house and of the consequences of buying in an unwise …
Building homes on Flood Zones idiotic says Environment Secretary Read More »
On 31 August 2012 the West Cumbrian Times & Star newspaper reported “Flash-flooding in Seascale and Gosforth was the worst a firefighter has ever seen”. David Moore, watch manager at Seascale Fire Station, said: “In my 40 years of working as a firefighter here I’ve never seen anything like this. The water levels in Seascale …
Never seen flooding like it in 50 years in the village Read More »
An agreement between government and the insurance industry over the future of flood insurance is imminent – but could see householders paying out extra costs. as reported 17 July 2012 by the North West Evening Mail. The insurance industry has an agreement with the government – which runs out in 2013 – committing it to …
Thursday, 19 July 2012 a Plea for help as West Cumbrian flood insurance crisis grows as reported by the Times & Star: Some Cockermouth householders can no longer afford to pay for flood insurance. The scale of Cockermouth’s flood insurance crisis can be revealed today as residents continue to struggle with issues more than two-and-a-half …
Plea for help as West Cumbrian flood insurance crisis grows Read More »
Careful study needed if Wales is to make good use of floodplains says Simon Haslett, Professor of Physical Geography and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales in his article at Wales Online. Certainly for residents of flooded areas it may be the first time in living memory that they have suffered an inundation, but that …
Environment Agency says “difficult to stop flooding completely” when rainfall levels are high The Environment Agency has defended its flood response over the past two days, saying “it’s difficult to stop flooding completely” when rainfall is high as reported by the BBC. Up to 500 properties flooded in Lancashire and West Yorkshire after a month’s …
Environment Agency says “difficult to stop flooding completely” Read More »
More than 11,000 homes and businesses are being protected by flood defences and owners of 7,000 properties have been issued with warnings as people were forced to flee after more than a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours says the Independant. The Environment Agency said people should remain vigilant and warned of further …
June 2012: Homes evacuated as month’s worth of rain falls in a day Read More »
Flooding victims are pleading with builders to stop development on grassland before their houses are damaged. On Saturday 23 June 2012 the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that several residents who live at the foot of the Harvest View development, on Garforth Cliff, have had their gardens engulfed with water after developers started work on land …
On 15 June 2012 Jan Harris of Finance Markets reported that recent flooding could lead to higher insurance premiums. Floods currently affecting Wales and south east England could be following by a rise in the price of home insurance premiums, according to analysts. The heavy rainfall could cause some insurance companies to miss their profitability …
Flood warnings for UK as storm builds over Atlantic as reported by Steven Morris of the Guardian newspaper group. Met Office issues severe weather warning – high speed winds and heavy rains to batter England, Wales and Northern Ireland Monsoon in summer: more rain is on its way, the Met Office has warned.
13 June 2012 “This is Money” report says “As flooding hits Britain again, homeowners face big bills and a timebomb ticking for future insurance cover. Already some customers are finding they are being quoted huge flood excesses of as much as £10,000 and extremely costly premiums”.
Wales flooding: Residents left devastated by floods. Residents caught up in severe overnight flooding in mid Wales have spoken of the speed the floods hit. Report by BBC News. Villages in Ceredigion have been cut off with houses and four caravan parks being flooded. Emergency services have helped at least 150 people to safety with …
Wales flooding-09 June 2012: Residents left devastated by floods Read More »
£90,000 campaign launched to save Egremont Dale View Gardens estate from River Ehen. A campaign has been launched to raise £90,000 to protect a cliff side housing estate at risk from erosion. Act now: ’You just have to look a mile down the river at Rothersyke to see how bad the situation can get’.
Flood-risk households get closer to insurance guarantee“Comment on article-but will it remove the fear of floods, see statement below by mother and householder Rita Edge of Cleator, West Cumbria“: original article by Lisa Bachelor; guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 8 May 2012 12.33 BST
Cumbria flood fears Cumbria could flood this week, with heavy rain expected to sweep across most of the country, forecasters said: North West evening Mail, Wednesday, 09 May 2012.
Mortgage lenders join call for clarity on flood insurance 3 May 2012 |By Newsdesk Affordable insurance ‘key to stable housing market’ says lenders’ association The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has added its voice to the call for greater clarity on future availability of flood insurance in risky areas.
Like Ireland and Queensland, England has yet to adopt sustainable flood management practices on any large scale. Indeed land use planning is becoming less regulated and is likely to result in even more inappropriate development in flood hazard areas under the new National Planning Framework: says Professor David Crichton MA(Hons), FCII..Chartered Insurance Practitioner.
The framework sets out the Government‟s vision for planning in England, focusing particularly on sustainable development and local decision making. It is vital that new development is insurable. Property insurance provides customers with the confidence that they are protected should the property be damaged or rendered unusable. Insurance is also a prerequisite for the vast …
AOL Money & Finance website on April 11, 2012 reports: “Of course, nowadays only a fool would unwittingly buy a home on a flood plain as it is very easy to find out where they are – just visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk for flood maps and a wealth of invaluable information. If that doesn’t put you off …
(Reuters) -LONDON | Tue Apr 3, 2012 5:29pm BST -Insurers on Tuesday cast doubt over a plan to provide affordable flood cover in high-risk areas without government subsidies, saying it lacks industry support and will probably require taxpayer funding to work effectively.
On Apr 3, 2012 Hannah Ricci, reported that a new solution to help homeowners on flood plains insure their properties is set to launch this summer. (N.B. immediate concern is shown on effectiveness of solution) With a government agreement that requires insurers to cover flood-prone homes due to end next year, ‘Project Noah’ is currently …
Since it’s virtually impossible to sell an uninsurable house, house prices in the worst affected areas would plummet, trapping the vulnerable and those on low incomes in new areas which are likely to emerge as what the Environment Agency calls “deprivation hotspots”. And, in the event of a flood hitting, lives will be utterly destroyed …
Steve Gilbet MP-02 April 2012-Government must wake up to Flood Insurance Read More »
Recently Cumbria CVS completed a research project that established the importance of the work of the voluntary sector in helping Cumbrian communities recover from the November 2009 floods. It is interesting to note that on page 89 of the document they say: The ‘statement for principles’ ends in 2013. There have been a number of …
Role of the third sector in Cumbria flood recovery Read More »
The Government produced is much discussed bill on planning policy yesterday the 27 March 2012. Accompanying the formal document is the “Technical Guidance to the National Planning Policy Framework“. This is the ‘cheat sheet’ which directs all users on how to do things!! It is very interesting to note that following paragraph one (1) the …
Inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided says Government Read More »
Joseph Rowntree Foundation says: Catastrophic flooding events have become increasingly frequent in the UK and, with climate change, are likely to become even more frequent in the future. Page 13 of this document states: In England roughly 10 per cent of new build is in flood plain. In contrast, in Scotland there has been no …
Social justice and the future of flood insurance Read More »
Pitt says in 2007: There should be a presumption against building in high flood risk areas Government says 2012: Government continues to recognise the importance of preventing unnecessary building in areas of flood risk and that new development that does take place should be safe and not increase flood risk.
The UK has suffered the driest 18 months since records and with the south east and east Anglia already officially in a state of drought the Association of British Insurers (ABI) is warning home owners to be aware of the risk of subsidence. Additionally the government may now be unable to complete the necessary flood …
Government may now be unable to complete flood infrastructure Read More »
Flood insurance uncertainty gives businesses and homeowners sinking feeling; Businesses and homeowners seeking flood insurance could face greater uncertainty and prohibitively expensive insurance premiums in just four months’ time, experts will warn today.
Flooding is the biggest environmental threat facing the UK, according to Defra chief Scientist Sir Bob Watson. The risks of flooding are projected in increase significantly across the UK. The landmark Climate Change Risk Assessment, published earlier this year, set out a clear case on the scale of the risk facing the UK from climate …
Joseph Rowntree Foundation says on 07 March 2012: Flood insurance changes could bring ‘catastrophic losses’ As early as next year (2013), up to 200,000 homes in the UK could find themselves effectively uninsurable against the risk of flood.
BBC News 27 February 2012: Nick Starling, Director of the Association of British Insurers, said members were determined that flood insurance remained as “widely available and competitively priced” as possible but local authorities need to ensure that there is no more foolish housing development in high flood risk areas. Up to 200,000 homes could struggle …
Councils MUST Stop Foolish Housing Developments in High Flood Risk Area says Insurers Read More »
18 October 2011 Government planning reforms must not lead to unsaleable, uninsurable and uninhabitable properties warns the ABI.
The Environment Agency being the British Government body required to control, monitor and advice on all matters affecting ‘Floods’ says : Get the location of new housing right: We need to avoid building homes in places where we will regret doing so, such as in areas at risk of flood.
Families living in flood-risk areas could be left with uninsurable and unsellable home: The town of Morpeth in Northumberland faced massive flooding in 2008, hitting 950 homes. Alan Bell, chairman of the Morpeth Flood Action Group, says many locals have been unable to sell their homes because they cannot get affordable home insurance.
Moneywise reveals the 10 most common problems that are likely to impact the value of your home. LIVING ON A FLOOD PLAIN is number three only being beaten by ANTI-SOCIAL NEIGHBOURS and ILLEGAL HOME ‘IMPROVEMENTS’ and will cost between £20,000.00 to £40,000.00.
Copeland MP Jamie Reed, Labour’s shadow floods minister says, “Cancelled flood defence schemes and changes to flood insurance are causing communities up and down the country to begin to fear for the future. The fear among many is that Government action will lead to whole communities becoming not just uninsurable, but unmortgageable.