Victims tell of insurance worries

By Lucy Rodgers BBC News

Many flood victims have still not returned to their homes

Many of those hit by this year's record floods are still picking up the pieces of their old life and mending the houses they once called home.

But with new warnings from insurance firms that they may not be able to provide buildings cover for flood damage, many victims have been left wondering what the future may hold.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says the �2.15bn promised by Chancellor Alistair Darling for flood defences over the next three years is not enough and is less than the amount they asked for before the 2007 crisis.

Insurers say that although they want to continue to provide such cover, they cannot do so if it means making a "significant loss".

For Mary Daff, this is worrying news.

You like to think if you are paying for insurance that you are covered Mary Daff

The 59-year-old from Tewkesbury, Glos, one of the worst-hit towns, is still living in rented accommodation after her home was flooded with 3ft (91cm) of water over the summer.

Insurance is something she has always taken for granted, she says.

"Obviously you want to know you have got enough insurance cover and you need it for if it happens again."

Mrs Daff has lived in the same house for 37 years and had never been flooded before the summer. She is now waiting for builders to complete work on her home and hopes to be back in before Christmas.

Although she says her insurance company has been supportive of her needs, she would be concerned if that financial safety net was taken away.

"You like to think if you are paying for insurance that you are covered. I think it is wrong if we are being penalised because of what the government has done."

'Disappointing'

Tewkesbury mayor Phil Awford says he is not surprised by the ABI's decision and is disappointed with the figure offered by the government for defences.

"Given that the people of Tewkesbury borough have been very stoical, this is going to set them back."

Louise Hebblewhite and daughter Rachael are still living in a caravan

A relief fund set up for the Gloucestershire victims of the summer floods has raised more than �1m.

"We are doing what we can through the flood fund - and then to get this from the government is very disappointing," Mr Awford says.

Elsewhere, Tim Morgan, owner of the Maytime Inn in Asthall, Oxon, fears he may not get insurance cover next time the heavy rains come.

"I'd just like to see something being done," he says. "Whenever it starts raining, we start getting worried again. It is depressing that nobody has done anything about it."

Previous experience

Meanwhile, Louise Hebblewhite, 42, whose home in Hull was also flooded, is struggling to get any answers from her insurance company.

"I can't get hold of the loss adjuster. I can't get hold of the person above the loss adjuster.

"I am done with shouting at them. I can't be bothered to shout any more. I am completely at my wits end."

Mrs Hebblewhite, who is still living in a caravan with her 14-year-old daughter, Rachael, believes that if insurance firms stop covering for flood damage, local authorities and government will end up footing the bill.

"It will put pressure on local councils, which will then come back to government," she says.

She adds: "The amount of money that insurance companies are getting from people - there are lots and lots of years when people are not making big claims. They must have billions of pounds."

One man has experienced such flood insurance worries before.

The thing that amazes me is what do the insurers do with all the money they make in the good years? Ray Armishaw

When he was hit by what has become known as the great flood of 2000 at his home in Alney Island, Gloucester, Ray Armishaw saw his premiums soar, but managed to get a better deal through another provider.

But when the floods came again this year, the 69-year-old believed he would have to claim once again and face the prospect of rising premiums, or no insurance at all.

But with nearby Tewkesbury bearing the brunt of the summer floods, Mr Armishaw's home only saw 4ins (10 cm) of water.

In the end he did not have to claim at all, but admits others in the same area of Gloucester have struggled to get cover in the past.

"The thing that amazes me is what do the insurers do with all the money they make in the good years?

"Why do they feel they have to penalise people? It is a big enough shock to be flooded out, why make people suffer further?"

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