Floodplains - Home Insurance

nexus53

Hi - Does anyone know of a good insurance provider that will insure properties which have been flooded. Our house flooded six years ago in the floods which hit North Yorkshire (property previously flooded 50 years ago). We are paying an arm and a leg for buildings and contents insurance. I've tried confused.com and no-one would even quote us any advice greatfully received - thanks

Daft_Monkey

I was living on a floodplain up until a couple of months ago, when I decided to sell, cause I've had enough worrying about the tides and the inability of the local council to keep the drains clear etc. I was insured with NFU mutual http://www.nfumutual.co.uk/, and there was not even an excess in the policy for flooding. However, I was never flooded while there. The building was a grade II listed building and a leashold (as the original building was split into five). Their building insurance was very competitive and could not be matched by a local insurance broker. My last yearly premium was about £250. Call your local office, they might be able to help. Talking from personal experience I was very happy with their service and the friendly staff. You don't end up calling a call centre having to repeat the same things millions of times.
Contents wise, they used to be a bit pricey, but they seem to be a bit more competitive now.

P.S Let me know if you get any luck with them.

nexus53

Thanks - for this will try the NFU - we have never claimed on our insurance and our insurance renewal quote this year is just short of £600!

nexus53

Hi - just thought you'd like to know that the NFU refused to quote - thanks anyway

Porker

towergate might be worth a go - they tend to do 'non standard' type risks:

http://www.towergatelifestyle.co.uk/newIndex.asp?st=1148464585000&stc=3037305

MortgageMamma

I think you should approach a specialist general insurance broker. I don't know which area you live in but I know one that could look at your case over the phone, based in west yorks. Please let me know if you want contact details.

MM

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Would your local council be able to help? There must be other people in your area in the same position as you.

Daft_Monkey

nexus53 wrote:

Hi - just thought you'd like to know that the NFU refused to quote - thanks anyway

Really sorry to hear that...:( I wasn't expecting that. A bit surprised that one incident six years ago will have such an impact, considering that other properties are more at risk (especially my old one, with a tidal river just few yards away). Hope you find something more reasonable premium wise soon.

nexus53

Thanks very much - contact details would be really appreciated.

nexus53

I have tried all the major insurers none of them are willing to quote. We live near the River Ouse which is tidal. At the time of the flood the river was 17 ft above normal levels and it overtopped on our village - however the Environment Agency are doing major flood defence work which should protect our area from future flooding. As soon as future insurers find out about the 2000 flood they don't want to know. Maybe it is time to contact the local MP! Thanks again

darky

nexus53 wrote:

I have tried all the major insurers none of them are willing to quote. We live near the River Ouse which is tidal. At the time of the flood the river was 17 ft above normal levels and it overtopped on our village - however the Environment Agency are doing major flood defence work which should protect our area from future flooding. As soon as future insurers find out about the 2000 flood they don't want to know. Maybe it is time to contact the local MP! Thanks again

Sorry to hear about your plight but your situation is unlikely to be resolved. The government is the cause of the problem and not the solution. They dont invest enough in flood defences and are just content to leave it to Insurers to pick up the mess. Insurers (as you have found out) have had enough and will no longer cover these properties. Put yourself in their situation - would you insure a house for £300-600 a year and expose yourself to a potential claim of rebuilding your house - maybe £100,000+? Especially when you know that global warming is worsening and floods are becoming far more commonplace and the government is still building properties in known flood areas and not investing enough in protecting existing properties?
The problem here is not the insurer, they are just protecting themselves against huge losses. Best set off to Number 10 and knock Tones door. Good luck!!!!