Households warned about flood cover

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Homeowners living in high flood-risk areas have been urged to ensure they have adequate cover on their home insurance after forecasts of continued heavy rain.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) gave the advice after more than 100 flood warnings and flood watches were put in place by the Environment Agency.

Graeme Trudgill, Biba technical and corporate affairs executive, said: "With more than a thousand properties already affected in Morpeth and further rain forecast, the clear up cost is already expected to run into millions of pounds. We are urging consumers to do all that they can to protect their possessions and reduce potential losses as some personal items are irreplaceable."

The summer floods of 2007 cost the UK insurance industry more than £3 billion. Biba added that it is confident that the industry will make every effort to help all homes affected in these difficult times.

In 2007, the insurance industry mobilised thousands of loss adjusters at short notice to deal with more than 150,000 claims – including bringing in staff from abroad - and found temporary housing for in excess of 17,000 families.

Eric Galbraith, Biba chief executive, said: "The increasing occurrence of weather related claims re-emphasises the need to have adequate protection. Particularly during the credit crunch, it is important that households do not cut back on their home insurance cover."

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