Flood Victims Hit By Huge Insurance Quotes

Flood victims in Somerset say they are facing insurance quotes of tens of thousands of pounds to protect their homes from future flooding.

Sky News has seen one renewal quote of almost £100,000 for one year. That falls to just under £500 for the year if flood cover is removed.

The owners did not want to speak on camera but told Sky their property in Moorland would only cost around £120,000 to rebuild from scratch.

Neighbour Sally Vize has been told she won't be able to move back into her home until March - 13 months after the winter storms caused £120,000 worth of damage.

She is due to renew her insurance in the next few months, but is extremely concerned she won't be able to afford the quote.

"I think someone said £12,000 if they want to insure for floods again, who can afford that? It's ridiculous, and I think it's morally wrong," she said.

One in six homes in England are at risk of flooding and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates between 300,000 and 500,000 UK households could struggle to obtain affordably priced flood insurance.

From next summer, in conjunction with the Government, the ABI is hoping to launch its Flood Re scheme which will allow insurers to pass the flood risk element of a home insurance policy into a fund that will pay any subsequent flood claim.

Mark Shepherd, from the ABI, explained: "In certain parts of the country this is becoming a much bigger problem and that's why we are working with the Government to introduce Flood Re, which in the future will ensure those homes at the highest flood risk will still be able to get affordable flood insurance."

Since the flooding began last Christmas, a group called the Somerset Emergency Volunteers have been helping those in need of immediate help.

They have filled a warehouse with donations including food, clothes, furniture and household goods to allow people to begin replacing what they have lost.

They are also providing 400 homes with emergency boxes and sandbags so they are prepared for any repeat.

"Moorland and Fordgate were only given six sandbags by the council when it was flooded - three for the front door, three for the back," said assistant operations manager Sadie Forster.

"We're giving them 36 reusable sandbags."

The Environment Agency has now dredged 8km of river in Somerset, with the Government promising to spend £4.2m on flood defences in the county.