Director-general condemns government’s ‘frustrating’ flood risk policies
The director-general of the ABI, Otto Thorenson, has attacked the government’s refusal to subsidise flood cover in high-risk properties.
Thorenson told The Times the ABI was committed to working with ministers following a written statement to parliament from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which suggested that ministers plan to focus on preventing flood risks rather than subsidising premiums. A DEFRA spokesman said subsidies had not been ruled out.
Thorenson said: “No country in the world has a free market for flood insurance that provides affordable and accessible cover for high-risk households without some form of government involvement.”
The spat comes as the insurance industry and government prepare to hammer out a replacement agreement over flood insurance for the statement of principles, which expires in 2013.
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