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BIBA Manifesto 2025: Tackling the evolving risk of flood

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Open-access content Shaune Worrall — Wednesday 26th February 2025
a flooded street with a partly submerged no entry road sign - Credit: Shutterstock - northallertonman - 1650607627

With flood remaining a significant risk for personal and commercial customers in the UK, BIBA’s 2025 Manifesto commits to helping households and businesses get essential support

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has launched it’s 2025 Manifesto ‘Partnering to deliver value’.

A key part of the manifesto focuses on business resilience and keeping up with evolving risks. A significant and growing risk for both personal and commercial customers, is flood, as witnessed once again during the recent storms that hit the UK.

Analysis by Aviva in January 2024 revealed that 8% of new homes (around 110,000) built in England in the last decade are in a flood zone. The Environment Agency stated that 6.3 million properties – homes and businesses – in England are in areas at risk of flooding from river, sea or surface water.

There are also recent news reports suggesting in some areas small to medium enterprises (SMEs) don’t even attempt to get cover because they believe either they can’t get cover or can’t afford what is offered. This has serious ramifications for the resilience of local and national economies and impacts local communities and high streets.

The UK government’s plans to build a further 1.5 million homes and relax planning laws to encourage more building, along with speculation about the longevity of current flood defence spending, could all impact flood insurance capacity.

Taking this on board, BIBA is committing to:

  • Support householders seeking access to flood insurance through the Flood Insurance Directory;
  • Work with Flood Re and insurers to raise awareness of the Build Back Better proposition within home insurance policies; and
  • Help SMEs to understand and engage with their flood risks and routes to suitable cover.

It is essential that insurance against flood damage is available, and that people and businesses understand their risks and how to mitigate them. BIBA will be working with relevant bodies and stakeholders to achieve its commitments. 

BIBA CEO, Graeme Trudgill, said: “It is crucial that local flood authorities can deliver suitable flood protection for homes and businesses which is why one of our most important calls to action is for Government to commit to a long-term investment plan that delivers flood preparedness plans for years to come.

“The Environment Agency predicts climate change could see 25% of properties in England be at risk of flooding from rivers, sea or surface water by the middle of the century. This issue must remain a political priority at all times and across all relevant authorities.”

Jason Storah, CEO UK and Ireland general insurance at Aviva, added: “As weather patterns become more unpredictable, storms and floods are impacting homes and businesses, putting lives and livelihoods at risk.

“Plans to build new homes across the UK are welcomed, but it’s vital they don’t increase the risk of flooding for existing or new residents. Building new properties in flood zones not only puts new homes at risk. It puts additional pressure on already-strained flood defences and drainage systems which become overwhelmed in heavy downpours and increases the risk of flooding to existing homes in the immediate area.

“As a significant investor in the UK, we agree it is essential to build more homes and planning reforms are an important first step. However, it is crucial that new homes are built in the right places and resilient to current and future flood risks. These aims are not mutually exclusive, and both must be achieved.”

Householders with flood risk looking for insurance can use the Flood Insurance Directory to find a specialist broker. The directory includes verified specialist insurance providers and is a collaboration between BIBA, the ABI Flood Re and DEFRA.

To access the directory, visit: www.biba.org.uk/flood-insurance-directory. Alternatively, businesses can call BIBA’s Find Insurance Service on 0370 950 1790

Visit the BIBA manifesto microsite at: www.bibamanifesto.com

Shaune Worrall is deputy head of general insurance at BIBA

Image credit | Shutterstock
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