Pen Underwriting’s specialist home insurance practice has joined Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme, which aims to improve the resilience of properties affected by flooding.
The initiative allows policyholders to incorporate up to £10,000 worth of flood resilience measures during repairs after a flood claim, in addition to the cost of restoring damage.
The Build Back Better scheme supports households in reducing the long-term impact of flooding by funding measures designed to prevent water ingress or minimise damage and recovery times. These measures include installing flood-resistant doors, airbrick covers, non-return valves, raised electrical sockets, and waterproof flooring and tiling.
Properties equipped with such adaptations are expected to recover more quickly, reducing the time families are displaced from their homes after a flood.
From January 1, 2025, the benefits of Build Back Better will be automatically included in all eligible new and renewing home insurance policies underwritten by Pen. Customers undertaking flood resilience adaptations during the repair process will be reimbursed for up to £10,000 toward these measures.
Jill Moffett (pictured above), performance & product manager for household and personal lines at Pen Underwriting, emphasised the wider impacts of flooding, citing the recent effects of Storm Bert, which caused significant damage, power outages, and loss of life.
“The emotional impact, upheaval and stress of being flooded can be even more distressing for individuals and families to have to deal with – not least because of the often-long periods required for cleaning up, fully drying out and effectively restoring properties before they can move home safely,” Moffett said.
Moffett explained that the scheme incentivises homeowners to adopt flood resilience measures, aiming to reduce the cost, duration, and stress of future flood events. She stated that Pen Underwriting is committed to supporting its customers by encouraging them to make their homes more resilient.
Stuart Logue, interim CEO of Flood Re, welcomed Pen Underwriting’s participation, highlighting the scheme’s growing adoption within the managing general agent (MGA) sector.
“Embracing property level flood resilience measures as part of a flood repair can provide peace of mind to householders that their home is better protected against future events and significantly reduce the physical damage and emotional stress associated with any future flooding,” Logue said.
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