Insurers meet with Government ministers

ABI director general Stephen Haddrill has met with Government ministers to discuss the response of the insurance industry to the recent floods in the UK.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting Haddrill said: “We had a constructive meeting at which we briefed ministers on the extensive measures which the insurance industry has taken to help the victims of recent floods. We estimate that 99% of all homeowners have now been visited by a loss adjustor or an insurance company representative.

“Insurers are doing all that they can to deal with the impact of the floods, including getting people re-housed in temporary accommodation and making provision for early payments to help deal with immediate hardship. Where cover has been taken out against business interruption through flooding insurers are helping those businesses to keep trading.

“We will keep Ministers updated on progress as the clear-up proceeds and insurers help to get thousands of homeowners and business back into their premises

ABI director general Stephen Haddrill

“We reiterated to the Government our support for its recent announcement on increased public expenditure for flood defences by 2011, and our continuing commitment to the industry’s Statement of Principles on flooding and insurance, which means that flood cover is widely available in areas of high-risk where flood defences are planned.

“We repeated our call for more details about planned spending between now and 2011. We urged Ministers to proceed as soon as possible with this extra investment. We also agreed that the Government would take urgent steps to address maintenance work on drainage.

“We will keep Ministers updated on progress as the clear-up proceeds and insurers help to get thousands of homeowners and business back into their premises.”