Flood Insurance?

[observer]

With seemingly more flooding these days, the cost of house insurance (especially if you live in a flood plain) is also increasing, to the point where many simply can't afford it. BUT, if flooding occurs, you hear of the Government donating £millions for relief - where does this go?  If this is to those who are uninsured, it would make insurance rather pointless for everyone; in which case, would it be simpler (and possibly cheaper) to have some kind of National House Insurance scheme?

[Davy51]

At times like this it highlights why houses were not built in certain places although some of these towns are old in origin ,but having a national scheme would be a good idea & i'm sure if the government was footing the bill  it would concentrate their efforts on flood prevention.

 

Have no fear though, all the countries we have helped will be donating thick & fast.

[observer]

What I'm driving at Dave, does any of this Gov money go to individual householders or does it just go to the local Council for the clean up? If any goes to householders, it would be an incentive not to be insured surely?

[Dizzy]

I don't know the answers but very good questions Obs.

[Davy51]

Yes,i get your point Obs...does the government aid stop at the front door ? Maybe areas with a history of flooding should have a scheme possibly funded by their local authority & recovered through council tax bills just for the eventuality of floods. Maybe that would help to reduce house insurance across the board .

[observer]

The Insurance Companies will be banging up their premiums, particularly for those at risk, so we'll all be paying to some degree; the problem is, that there comes a point at which premiums become unaffordable. The EA web site gives maps showing risk areas; but I'm not sure if premiums are reduced where new flood defences are built EG along the Mersey around Kingsway?

[P J]

Heard tell of Insurance companies, to get around the fact that they have to offer cover, are demanding higher excess levels, some up to £25000

[observer]

A slight digression: does anyone know how far downstream or upstream, the flood barrier scheme at Kingsway extends ? The reason is this; there used to be some bad flooding in that area in the past (St John's school under water one year), which this new scheme should prevent. BUT: if rain water flushes down stream, surely the River banks will over-flow at some other point down stream, if the barriers don't continue all the way to the Mersey Estuary ? Any old map of the Town should show that in history, Warrington had considerable areas of wet land in it's flood plain (hence the Roman building of a Causway - Wilderspool Causway). These wetlands would act as natural soak aways for excess water (EG: the Twiggery at the back of the Cemetry), and slow down the rate of flow during heavy rain. The difference I perceive, is that nowadays, due to the extensive development of our built infrastructure (roads, housing on the flood plain etc); the water immediately runs into gulleys and drains, and the River, allowing sudden increases in height and velocity - hence the kind of flooding that hits the news.

[Evil Sid]

The first point of flooding downstream would probably be the new "winter" wonderland area as shown in another topic. that bit under the railway bridge at bridge foot has always been one of the first places to flood when the river rises higher than normal. after that arpley madows and the area at the end of chester road where the allotments are/were and then on up sankey valley way if it really gets going with the rain.

 

sure last time this happened somebody posted a link to the map showing places at risk from flooding in warrington.

[Davy51]

What I'm driving at Dave, does any of this Gov money go to individual householders or does it just go to the local Council for the clean up? If any goes to householders, it would be an incentive not to be insured surely?

 

Just been reading an article Obs that stated individual properties would be entitled to about £5 & a half k......£500 temporary accommodation costs & £5000 for household flood defences & raising electrical sockets.

On a wider end of days/global warming matter, it seems that Carlisle has been prone to serious flooding since 1700 ,which could be before pollution took hold of our climate.

[observer]

I noticed one of the Cumbrian villages that was hit, had rows of houses either side of the main stream, so no wonder they flooded.  It's clear, whatever the supposed cause, that building needs to move to higher elevations, and in high risk areas, built on stilts.  As for the money, seems to be plenty available for flood risk; we've just shelled out £1 million to protect a Town in Serbia ! 

[P J]

here we go

[Davy51]

Is that a selfie with the tin foil cap & sculpted eyebrows? Methinks that cap could be giving birth to a purple rinse.

[observer]

It's the new uniform of the PC thought Police !!!!!

[P J]

I

 

Is that a selfie with the tin foil cap & sculpted eyebrows? Methinks that cap could be giving birth to a purple rinse.

Its an Otherie Davy but don't let that ruin your fantasies

[Davy51]

My fantasies are widespread PJ. I am a total perv.

[Bazj]

One of our customers in Lancaster had most of their factory under a metre of water.... on a lighter note; that's a bit of extra work for us in January no doubt

[observer]

Noticed the other day, all the houses they've built at the back of the Ambulance Station, and there's an electrical sub-station there too - right next door to the river !  

[asperity]

Rivers have doors?What kind of devilry is this?

[observer]

.... but houses do !

[Latchford Locks]

I did read this the other week

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/flood-insurance-agreement-reached

[P J]

yes and some less scrupulous insurance companies have banged on a £25k excess to get round it.

[algy]

here we go

I do hope that is the royal we!.

[observer]

So Latch, as we deduced, premiums will increase across the board; but will everyone afford it?

[Latchford Locks]

I have never claimed since living in my present house,20 years, and guess what EVERY year my premiums rise by around 15%