Flood victims need fair deal

Last updated 11:44, Tuesday, 15 July 2008

More than three years on from the floods of 2005 and sadly, many people are still paying for the disaster.

Homes may be back in order, the memories may not be quite so painful, but many people are still being forced to fork out for much higher insurance premiums.

In some cases, for those who can find a firm to insure them, premiums have rocketed by 100 or 150 per cent.

This, despite the fact that the businesses and homes in Carlisle and Keswick affected are much better protected.

It took Government pressure for insurance giants to agree to provide protection to any property with a risk of less than one in 75 from flood.

What the Government did not get was an agreement to offer insurance at reasonable rates.

Until the flood defences are complete, neighbourhoods hit in 2005 are still under threat and insurers will charge for that risk.

But once these defences are complete – the £24m scheme for the Eden and Caldew rivers should be watertight next year – insurance firms should have the decency to drastically reduce prices for those living in the areas.

Carlisle MP Eric Martlew is right to urge these companies to slash their fees as soon as possible.

It’s not just a question of being able to get insurance cover for your home, but paying a fair and reasonable price for it.