Flood Ordeal Continues Without Aid of Loss Assessors
Those who fell victim to the flooding of late 2009, are facing excess charges of £50,000 when they come to renew their home insurance.
According to The Times Money, some four months on from the flooding, many homeowners are still living in temporary accommodation and having problems resolving claims (issues that a loss assessor would have helped to overcome).
The insurance industry promised that cover would be available but it seems that some people have even been refused cover outright.
Although the Association of British Insurers have been working with the Government to ensure that those with existing insurance policies, who are at risk from flooding, will get cover - it may come at a price. Those who are at a high risk must also prove that they have plans to reduce the risk within a 5 years.
In November Cockermouth was hit by the worst flooding that it has ever seen. The Cashmore's home was hit by 7ft as floodwater raged through the property. They were not insured, as seven months before the flooding AXA had given them a renewal quote, increasing their excess from £50 to £20,000 and their yearly premium to £800. Because they were not covered when the flood happened, and depending entirely on their pension meant that money was tight, so they have had to rely on the kindness of friends and family to help them clean up and get new furniture.
Following the flooding, many postcodes have been blacklisted and residents are finding it increasingly difficult to find insurance cover for their homes.
Two residents of Cockermouth who are looking to renew their insurance policies have been looking at either a complete refusal of cover or a £1,500 premium and an excess of around £50,000.
The fact that 1 in 6 homes are at risk from flooding is worrying in itself, but if these people can't get insurance cover or their cover is tied to a ridiculously high excess, then many could be left homeless and facing severe financial hardship.
All of the residents of Cockermouth have a different tale to tell with regards to the treatment of them by their insurance companies. One individual has been waiting for 11 weeks for Lloyds TSB to respond and send out a surveyor and Lloyds are still yet to pay any of the rent for his temporary accommodation. Many have complained that because insurance companies have insisted on using their own contractors, jobs have dragged.
It has been suggested that trusted local builders should be recommended to insurers to speed up the process, sadly at this stage in the proceeding, many are tired of fighting their corner and just want to be back in their homes.
The other issue faced by those who have fallen victim to the flooding is that insurance companies only repair like for like and are not about to 'flood proof' your home. This means that residents could be in the same situation a few months down the line, unless they spend the money themselves.
Each case is completely different but what does ring throughout all of these situations, is that dealing with an insurance company on such a claim is becoming increasingly difficult. A loss assessor will take the pressure off individuals making claims and leave then to deal with the emotional side to the claim.
A loss assessor will come to your home, access the damage and fight your corner. They will also do everything within their power to expedite the claim and get you back in your repaired home as quickly as possible. This is especially important if you have a young family or are responsible for others who need routine in their lives.
Make sure that you know if your home is at risk of flooding and take precautions to protect it.
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