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'Rapid' progress on flood payouts 'Rapid' progress on flood payouts
(3 days later)
Rapid progress is being made in paying out claims for flood damage across the UK, insurers have said.Rapid progress is being made in paying out claims for flood damage across the UK, insurers have said.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said everyone affected in Hull, one of the worst-hit cities, had been rehoused and interim payments made.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said everyone affected in Hull, one of the worst-hit cities, had been rehoused and interim payments made.
Insurers are facing a £1.5bn bill for the floods, which are estimated to have hit 27,500 homes and 7,000 companies.Insurers are facing a £1.5bn bill for the floods, which are estimated to have hit 27,500 homes and 7,000 companies.
The ABI said it was working "flat out" to help people back into their homes as many remain in temporary lodgings.The ABI said it was working "flat out" to help people back into their homes as many remain in temporary lodgings.
Getting to gripsGetting to grips
Fears of a massive backlog of insurance claims led ministers to seek a meeting with insurance companies last week.Fears of a massive backlog of insurance claims led ministers to seek a meeting with insurance companies last week.
Things are moving ahead very rapidly Stephen Haddrill, Association of British InsurersThings are moving ahead very rapidly Stephen Haddrill, Association of British Insurers
At the time, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said it was imperative that claims were dealt with "speedily and fairly".At the time, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said it was imperative that claims were dealt with "speedily and fairly".
Nearly all those affected have been now been visited by either an insurance representative or a loss adjuster, the ABI said.Nearly all those affected have been now been visited by either an insurance representative or a loss adjuster, the ABI said.
In many cases, interim payouts have already been made.In many cases, interim payouts have already been made.
"Things are moving ahead very rapidly," said the ABI's director general Stephen Haddrill."Things are moving ahead very rapidly," said the ABI's director general Stephen Haddrill.
"In every case in Hull we found that everyone had been housed and that the payments had been made," he added."In every case in Hull we found that everyone had been housed and that the payments had been made," he added.
Hundreds of people in Hull and other areas are living in caravans and the ABI said the availability of temporary accommodation in the city remained a serious issue.Hundreds of people in Hull and other areas are living in caravans and the ABI said the availability of temporary accommodation in the city remained a serious issue.
"It is obviously unsatisfactory for the long term," Mr Haddrill said of the reliance of caravans."It is obviously unsatisfactory for the long term," Mr Haddrill said of the reliance of caravans.
But he added that as a temporary measures it did "seem to be welcome".But he added that as a temporary measures it did "seem to be welcome".
"I think people are happy to be living next door to their houses.""I think people are happy to be living next door to their houses."
Some people who were uninsured are still being housed in temporary shelters in Doncaster.Some people who were uninsured are still being housed in temporary shelters in Doncaster.
Long-term strategyLong-term strategy
Insurers, which agreed in 2005 to continue offering policies for homes at risk of flooding, have requested more detailed information on the state of the country's defences.Insurers, which agreed in 2005 to continue offering policies for homes at risk of flooding, have requested more detailed information on the state of the country's defences.
The ABI called on the government to spend £8bn on maintaining the country's flood defences over the next 25 years.The ABI called on the government to spend £8bn on maintaining the country's flood defences over the next 25 years.
Although the government has pledged to boost annual spending by £200m to £800m by 2010-11, insurers says the government must do more.Although the government has pledged to boost annual spending by £200m to £800m by 2010-11, insurers says the government must do more.
"We need a strategy that looks beyond the next three years to the next 20 to 25 years," Mr Haddrill added. "We need a commitment of £8bn to protect the coastline and to replace the Thames Barrier.""We need a strategy that looks beyond the next three years to the next 20 to 25 years," Mr Haddrill added. "We need a commitment of £8bn to protect the coastline and to replace the Thames Barrier."
Research published by moneysupermarket.com has found that applications for home insurance have risen 30% since last month's floods. Research published by moneysupermarket.com has found that applications for home insurance have risen 300% since last month's floods.