The ‘cross-industry and government collaboration aims to provide a simple solution to a challenge that will help those that need it most’, says trade body’s executive director
Broking trade body Biba has today (23 February 2022) launched its new Flood Insurance Directory, in association with the ABI, Flood Re and the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The directory is a result of a recommendation made within Amanda Blanc’s Independent Review of Flood Insurance in Doncaster, which was published in November 2020.
The report stated that “Flood Re, Biba and the ABI should establish a new signposting service to ensure that any household that is eligible for Flood Re but denied cover because of flood risk, or offered insurance only with a flood exclusion, can be referred to a specialist broker [that] can help them secure affordable, exemption-free cover”.
The newly launched directory therefore signposts and highlights “specialist firms that are well placed to help find insurance solutions for those in flood risk areas and seeks to provide solutions from either Flood Re or from other insurance markets”, explained Graeme Trudgill, executive director of Biba.
He continued: “One of the great things about the insurance industry is when we combine forces to work together for the greater good.
“Today sees the culmination of over a year’s work between Biba, ABI and Flood Re, [which] have collaborated with government, to launch the new Flood Insurance Directory, which aims to help more householders who are at risk of flooding access the insurance they need.
“This cross-industry and government collaboration aims to provide a simple solution to a challenge that will help those that need it most.”
Around 18 insurers and brokers are currently listed on the directory.
Working together for the benefit of consumers
Rebecca Pow MP, the parliamentary under secretary of state and minister for nature recovery and the domestic environment, has also given her approval of Biba’s latest signposting scheme.
She said: “I welcome the collaborative work Biba has taken forward with [the] industry following the Independent Review of Flood Insurance in Doncaster.
“This new Flood Insurance Directory will play a key role in helping increase accessibility of flood insurance for properties at flood risk.”
Paul Cobbing, chief executive of charity the National Flood Forum, added: “By putting people at high risk of flooding in contact with specialist brokers and insurers, this initiative will help reduce the time and stress involved [in finding appropriate insurance].”
Biba is an advocate of signposting arrangements – in 2019, for example, the trade body reported that it had received more than 700,000 enquiries from older individuals regarding motor and travel insurance as a result of the association’s signposting agreement for this demographic, delivered in conjunction with the government and ABI.
Trudgill continued: “We have driven forward signposting as a solution for almost 10 years now and I am immensely proud to see the sector working together to launch this service built entirely for the benefit of consumers.
“Remember if you can’t write it, signpost it.”
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