Biba proposes flood prevention measures

by Gill Montia

Story link: Biba proposes flood prevention measures

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) is making fresh calls for strong co-operation between the insurance industry and Government, to protect households and businesses from flooding.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is setting up a £5 million fund that will be used to safeguard vulnerable homes and Biba is suggesting a number of uses for the money, as follows:

Free flood surveys for all homes and businesses in high-risk flood-zones.

VAT exemption for all flood repair work.

The development of updated and detailed flood-maps.

In addition, Biba would like to see Government action to compel property owners to carry out resilient repair work on high-risk properties and for insurers to offer discounts or improved terms and conditions for property owners who act to reduce flood risk.

Biba technical and corporate affairs spokesman, Graeme Trudgill, comments that while the Association supports the Government’s plans, it want to ensure that flood prevention is the priority and that money is not therefore wasted in dealing with the aftermath of preventable flooding.