Homeowners Under Threat

Homeowners face a twin threat over the next few months which could cause concern for any valid home insurance policy. Only last week homeowners had been advised of the risks posed due to flooding in the UK following government figures. Over 10 million people in the UK have been found to be living in abodes which are at severe risk of flooding. This could affect any home insurance policy that is active. The National Flood Risk Assessment figures have shown that around five million homes are presently at risk. This number has increased dramatically due to changes in the environment resulting in heavier rainfall, with Londoners particularly at risk due to the flattish nature of the surrounding land. Taking responsibility Simon Black, the head of flood mapping at Norwich Union said: "It's really about taking personal responsibility for your possessions." He added: "If I lived in a high-risk area, I would be doing as much as possible to reduce my own risk. And I would always, whenever moving, look to see if the house was at risk of flooding." Homeowners have been advised on the best ways to protect their homes during certain periods, when torrential downpours are more likely. Owners have been advised to observe their own homes when it rains to monitor where puddles lie and to also recognise potential danger areas such as basements. Homeowners have also been given advice on how to avoid becoming a statistics in other possible pitfalls. The home insurance company, Halifax have advised its customers to take drastic measures to help them avoid the need of making any future subsidence claims. The Association of British Insurers have issued the warning after commissioning a report which revealed that the industry counted over 144,000 subsidence claims over the course of the last four years at a combined total of £825 million. Although this is a problem which is quite difficult to prevent, homeowners have been advised to take all necessary precautionary measures. Prevenstion is better than cure Neil Curling, structural claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "Homeowners are not to blame for subsidence as they do not cause it on purpose; however, the majority of people are able to take measures to prevent subsidence from occurring. If they do so, not only are they will reduce the costs of damage, but also the inconvenience and the worry associated with subsidence." Mr. Curling added: "Subsidence usually occurs as large areas of the UK are located on clay-based soils that oftentimes dry, re-hydrate, and then shrink, which in its turn causes structural damage to buildings. When people see cracks on the soil in their gardens, it is not the clay itself that causes the problem; rather, those are trees that suck the water from the clay and, thus, lead to subsidence. Homeowners need to immediately inform their insurance companies and take measures if they notice cracks on the walls that start from window corners or doors." Homes that remain at risk from flooding and subsidence are still able to secure competitive quotes for comprehensive home insurance however. The general consensus was that the insurance industry would struggle to insure those in flood sensitive areas due to the current climate, but a new arrangement made between the government and the Association of British Insurers, which represents 94 per cent of UK insurers, has ensured that cover is still an achievable goal. The agreement means that insurers will continue to offer cover, providing the government invests in defences, tightens planning rules and increases awareness of what householders can do. The government has already released an easy to access map informing homeowners of the areas, which are most at risk.