News

MP Demands Urgent Action On Flood Insurance

Tuesday July 10 2012

A BARNSLEY MP has demanded the government take urgent action on flood insurance to help protect locals homes.

Michael Dugher has written to the Secretary of State to demand action on companies offering flood insurance and criticised a decision to cut the government flood defence budget.

Michael says that - in less than a year - the government's guidance to insurance companies offering flood insurance will expire, and a replacement scheme has yet to be agreed.

He fears the delay may prompt companies to boost insurance premiums, which will mean rocketing costs for locals.

He said: “The latest floods have highlighted once again the looming crisis of flood insurance. People in flood-prone areas, like in parts of my Barnsley East constituency, are finding it harder to get insurance and their premiums and excesses are going up.

“The Association of British Insurers has warned that unless the Government agrees a new sustainable long-term solution for insurance, up to 200,000 high-risk households across the country will face problems in getting flood insurance in June 2013.

“The Government is cutting £400m from the flood defence budget and it appears that this may have resulted in resources being too stretched across our region. Whilst I accept that priorities will always have to be made, there is a sense that a lack of resources meant that Barnsley was simply not a priority at all, leaving residents in the Borough potentially exposed.”

What do you think? Have you had trouble insuring your home? Are your premiums rocketing?

Reply Posted by Guest on Tuesday July 10 2012 at 14:33

Mr Dugher is the worst kind of opportunistic politician. He is quick to put the blame on the current government, but residents in Low Valley (just one example) have been seeking help with flood prevention & insurance problems, without success, since the 2007 floods. Who was in power from then until May 2010?

Reply Posted by Wayne on Tuesday July 10 2012 at 21:33

Last five years we've paid £800 contents and buildings insurance just got renewed through different company for £200 because last flood was more than five years ago we don't have disclose it dread to think what it will be next year all we want is some one to do what they say they are going to do instead of getting comfy with their feet under table.After spending Friday t time onwards putting sandbags round the river dove so we wouldn't flood . Great team effort from all of those involved .

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