A positive change for those affected by flooding.
Flood Re – a positive change for those affected by flooding
Brendan McCafferty, CEO at Flood Re
Being flooded is a devastating experience. Sadly it is one that those who have lived through it know only too well.
However, the trauma of dealing with the clean-up, is not the only challenge that comes once the water has disappeared. Local people also know about the difficult task of finding and paying for insurance cover if they have been flooded or live in a high flood-risk area.
You may or may not be aware, but a brand new scheme designed specifically for those who have been affected by flooding or are at risk of flooding launches this April 2016. The scheme – Flood Re – has been jointly set up by the insurance industry and Government and works through a £180m tax on the insurance industry. This will be used to create a subsidy for householders that should significantly reduce excess levels and give those in high flood-risk areas access to affordable insurance cover.
Our team has been touring the country and speaking with local flood forum leaders, councillors and key stakeholders about Flood Re in order to raise awareness of the scheme and answer questions about how the scheme will work and what it will mean for customers.
I can assure you that Flood Re isn’t another layer of bureaucracy to deal with. It works in the background to help provide more affordable cover. In fact, local people in flood-prone areas won’t deal directly with Flood Re. All contact will remain with consumers’ chosen insurer, including the process for handling claims in the event of a flood.
A significant number of leading insurers have signed up to the scheme and a list of those insurance brands who are providing Flood Re supported products can be found on the Flood Re website.
We have created a video which helps explain how the scheme works which can be viewed on our website www.floodre.co.uk.
What do you need to do?
To see if you are eligible for Flood Re, there are three easy steps to follow:
- Talk to your existing insurer and ask them if your home is eligible for the Flood Re Scheme (details of our eligibility are set out on our website)
- Be prepared to shop around
- Remember, finding the right advice and products is important
Flood Re is committed to working with insurers to get this right for homeowners. If you have any specific policy queries do speak to your current insurer who will be able to provide you with more information.
If you want to find out more about the detail of Flood Re you can also visit our website at: www.floodre.co.uk