ICMIF member and leading rural insurer NFU Mutual (UK) has joined re-insurer Flood Re’s Build Back Better programme, reaffirming its commitment to supporting flood victims with resilient repairs able to withstand further flooding.

NFU Mutual launched its Flood Resilience Repair scheme in November 2017, which is available for all home insurance customers with buildings cover. Customers who suffer significant flood damage can receive a contribution from NFU Mutual to implement repairs which will protect the property from future flooding.

Since the start of 2021 alone, the insurer has paid GBP 167,172 to customers across the UK to help protect their homes against further damage. This means that, despite flooding becoming increasing likely, these homes are less likely to suffer flood damage in the future, saving money and easing stress.

Resilient repairs which can withstand flooding also reduce the demand for new materials for repair after each flood, meaning less waste ends up in landfill.

What are flood resilience repairs?

Flood resilience repairs are repairs carried out following flood damage which prevent extensive damage in any subsequent flood. Common examples are:

• Raising electrical sockets and white goods away from floor level.
• Replacing flooring with waterproof tiling and grout.
• Installing flood-resistant, self-sealing air bricks.
• Fitting valves to drains to prevent backflow flooding.
• Replacing doors with waterproof doors to prevent floodwater spreading

Build Back Better

NFU Mutual is now among the first insurers to join Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme, which will enable the insurer to further support customers by providing a contribution towards flood resilient repairs. Participating insurers can then recoup some of the costs of these repairs from Flood Re, which is a joint initiative between the Government and insurers.

Jon Bird, Property Claims Manager at NFU Mutual, said: “Recent years have seen a trend towards wetter summers and winters, with one in four homes now at risk of flooding. With at-risk properties often being hit again and again, higher flood risk threatens to cost homeowners a lot of money and stress.

“That is why, over four years ago, NFU Mutual became one of the first insurers to adopt flood resilience repairs. By rebuilding flood-hit homes with resilient repairs, we can protect against future floods to provide our customers with peace of mind that that if they are flooded again, they will not be hit with a big bill and can return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

“By facilitating flood resilience repairs, we can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill from repeat damage while helping the United Kingdom become a flood resilient country.

“We are therefore proud to join Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme, which will help us provide further flood support to homeowners while recouping the money for the benefit of our members.”

“We have our freedom back”

David Griffiths, from Cenarth, South Wales, was one of the first adopters of the NFU Mutual Flood Resilience Repairs scheme after his house was flooded during Storm Callum in October 2018.

After claiming for the damage caused by the flooding on his home insurance, Mr Griffiths took up NFU Mutual’s offer to contribute towards resilience repair measures including metal flood doors and rewiring sockets at a higher level.

Mr Griffiths explains the impact of the flooding and the difference the resilient repairs have made to his life: “I’m a practical, pragmatic guy and didn’t think being flooded would hit me as hard it did, but the impact was devastating and beyond my imagination. It took ages to clean up the mess, we suffered thousands of pounds of damage and had to move out for months while repairs were carried out.

“After being flooded, my wife Carol and I were afraid to go away as flooding, heavy rain and river levels were always at the back of our mind.

“So, it was a massive relief when NFU Mutual came up with the contribution to flood resilience repairs, which gave us confidence to leave the house. In a way, we have our freedom back.

“I wouldn’t wish a flooding like ours on anyone, and I would recommend flood resilience repairs to give peace of mind to anyone who has suffered.”