Floods Minister: Shop around for insurance
07:00 - 17-July-2008
Floods Recovery Minister John Healey
The advice offered by Floods Recovery Minister John Healey will be cold comfort to householders in East Yorkshire who are facing rising excess levels and increased premiums in the wake of last summer's floods.
Last year, the Mail launched its Play Fair campaign, which called on the insurance industry to offer everyone a reasonable deal, regardless of whether they were affected by the deluge.
The campaign was launched last August after an investigation revealed insurance firms were blacklisting the region after the floods.
Ministers warned the floods highlighted the fatc householders cannot afford to go uninsured.
It is estimated of those still homeless, at least one in eight did not have cover.
Last week, the insurance industry and the Government reached an agreement to ensure householders are able to obtain protection against flooding.
But there are concerns that being insured now comes at a price.
Mr Healey said: “The first thing is to make sure insurance continues to be available.”
But he added: “There's likely to be an impact on premiums. The insurance industry tells me there's a general rising of premiums across the board.
“The best advice is to shop around, because it's still a competitive industry. That's the best advice I can give.
“The industry is saying they are maintaining the availability of insurance. That insurance, as it always does, has a cost.
“As in any other area of life, if people aren't happy with what they being offered, the best advice is to try elsewhere.”