The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has become increasingly concerned about the possible rise in flood related claims in the UK and has commissioned Entec to undertake a national research project to inform their future policy on flood risk.
Entec’s project manager and flood management expert, Bill Finlinson, says that the main objectives of the study are to inform ABI about key issues affecting flood risk and to obtain an initial estimate of the maximum probable exposure to claims for inland flood damage.
Entec found that between 950,000 and 1.2M properties in the UK are at risk form inland flooding (4% of the total building stock) and that climate change and increased building development within or near flood plains are the two main factors affecting the likelihood of extreme floods. Exacerbating the threat of flooding is the need for new development, to meet government housing targets, and for commercial premises.
•For more information about flood alleviation schemes in the UK see IWP&DC January 2001, pp14-15 and the forthcoming March issue.
