Worries mount over Arun flood insurance risk

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb has voiced his concern about the growing number of residents in the Arun district contacting him claiming their insurance excesses have sky-rocketed over the past year, while others say they can no longer obtain any flood protection policy.

The MP’s warning has been sounded while tense discussions continue between the Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), to determine a way to provide affordable premiums in high-risk flooding areas, before existing arrangements expire at the end of June.

Mr Gibb said he had received three letters of concern from the Bognor area, but was sure this was just the tip of the iceberg. He has already raised his worries with the environment minister Richard Benyon.

“So far, the scale of correspondence is small but I sense it’s just the trickle before the storm.

“For every person who writes to my office I fear there are a dozen or so others, suffering the same concerns, who haven’t written to me.

“And to see these problems with insurance arising in April, two months before the crunch time of July 1, when the existing statement of principles will have expired, is a great concern,” he said.

The current agreement, reached in 2008, obliges insurers to provide cover for high-risk properties while the Government continues to improve flood defences.

Discussions have been taking place for months to try to make sure the arrangement continues after June.

Mr Gibb added he was “confident” a decision would be reached before the cut-off date.

For the full story, see today’s Littlehampton Gazette (Thursday, April 11).