Worried residents 'need to check their home insurance'

Posted : 17-11-2006

UK homeowners in flood risk areas are making moves to ensure that they have adequate home insurance and protection, following mounting concerns over flood defences.

A survey from Direct Line Home Insurance indicates that 42 per cent of residents in flood risk areas want the government to take greater steps towards protecting homes.

Almost 30 per cent of respondents claim to have experienced flooding in the last decade and 39 per cent feel they are not being given adequate information regarding the risks.

"Residents are more worried about flooding than ever before, with one in five believing that it poses a bigger risk than burglary," states Andrew Lowe, head of Direct Line Home Insurance.

"Unfortunately, the government doesn't appear to be heeding homeowners concerns."

Concerns have been raised by the Environment Agency that many homeowners are failing to recognise the threat posed by flooding, with figures suggesting that the costs of flooding could be as high as £28,000.

The Environment Agency's flood defence budget was cut by £15 million this year, ahead of a new flood awareness campaign for 2006.


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