As flood damage from Storm Henk reported to ICMIF member NFU Mutual (UK) nears GBP 10 million and heavy rain continues to impact the UK, the mutual insurer’s Head of Property Claims is urging homeowners to make their properties more resilient to future flooding, saying recent flood damage could be an opportunity to make homes more resilient.

In 2017, NFU Mutual was one of the first insurers in the UK to offer a contribution towards flood resilient measures to home insurance customers who had been impacted by flood damage. As part of the scheme, customers who suffer flood damage to their buildings above GBP 10,000 receive a contribution from NFU Mutual to implement repairs which will protect the property from future flooding.

NFU Mutual says it has now paid over GBP 1 million towards the installation of flood resilience measures and is now urging people who have been affected by the recent flooding in the UK to think about how they can make their properties more resilient to extreme wet weather.

NFU Mutual believes flood resilient repairs should be a “key part” of the UK’s response to extreme weather and insurers and loss adjusters should open conversations with customers.

Sean Walkden, Head of Property Claims at NFU Mutual, said: “As an insurer, we know that the default option for both homeowners and loss adjusters following a flood can often be to begin restoring the property to how it was before, replacing like for like.

“But with more properties expected to be at risk of flooding in the coming decades, now is time to think about making homes more resilient to future flooding.”

Walkden explained that whilst there was recognition that it can be difficult to entirely prevent at-risk homes from flooding, making resilient repairs can protect properties by reducing the disruption and damage caused by subsequent floods by thousands of pounds (GBP).

Walkden continued: “NFU Mutual is therefore urging people who’ve suffered flood damage to take the opportunity to make flood resilient repairs – particularly where their insurer, like NFU Mutual, offers to contribute towards them. We’ve contributed over GBP 1 million to such repairs to date, but we see this as a win-win for insurers and customers, so we’d like to see continued uptake.

“They don’t have to be expensive measures either. Actions like rewiring sockets higher up the wall, replacing damaged skirting or cabinetry with PVC or metal alternatives, or electing to install waterproof flooring when the old floor is damaged can greatly reduce future risk with minimal upfront cost, so it’s worth discussing with your insurer or loss adjuster before repairs get underway.

“As a nation, we need to become more resilient to extreme weather events to better protect people and property, as well as controlling the cost of flooding. A key part of that response must be making sure we adapt after a flood.”

NFU Mutual explains that flood resilient repairs are repairs carried out after flood damage which can then prevent extensive damage in any subsequent flood. Examples given include:

• Raising electrical sockets and white goods away from floor level.
• Replacing flooring with waterproof tiling and grout or other waterproof materials.
• Replacing cabinetry and skirting with waterproof alternatives (like PvC).
• Installing flood-resistant, self-sealing air bricks.
• Fitting valves to drains to prevent backflow flooding.
• Replacing doors with waterproof doors to prevent floodwater spreading.
• Installing flood barriers on doors or windows.
• Installing pumps.