Flood victims criticise ‘greed’ of insurance firms

INSURANCE companies are refusing to give cover to residents in the greater Drumcondra area of Dublin despite huge work undertaken to ensure there will not be a repeat of the devastation caused by flooding.

One year since the flooding, residents are furious that the insurance companies have exploited the situation by massively increasing premiums, imposing penalties, excluding homes from future flood and storm damage or refusing cover altogether.

With all the work already undertaken to build flood defences and further works in the pipeline residents, many of whom are elderly and totally reliant on State pensions, believe there is no case that insurance companies can make for making excessive amounts of money out of their hardship.

Anne O’Connor, spokesperson for the Tolka River Residents Alliance (TRRA), lives with her 72-year-old mother, Mary, in Drumcondra and still has a vivid recollection of the flooding that almost trapped them in their home.

“The past year has been very traumatic for many residents, who have seen their homes destroyed and their lives seriously disrupted,” said Anne.

Last night, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was one of a number of politicians who attended a special service to commemorate the floods and acknowledge the wonderful community spirit that exists in Drumcondra.

TRRA has asked local politicians, the minister for the office of public works, local politicians and the city council to tackle the insurance companies who were an example of corporate greed at its worst. Anne said insurance cover for her home had doubled to €900. There were even cases where one neighbour continued to be covered while another was refused for no apparent reason.

“Some residents have had insurance policies for 30 years with no claims. The works are being done but they (insurance companies) are just robbing us blind,” she said. Insurance companies paid out between €35,000 and €50,000 for residents to repair their homes and replace damaged furniture and appliances.

There were also elderly people who got less from the insurance companies because they did not realise the extent of the damage done to their homes and did not argue for more. “Where was their decency? Where was their loyalty to their customers,” she asked.

Anne recalled how she and her mother slammed the doors of their home shut in the early hours of the morning in a desperate bid to keep the water out, but it was coming up through the floorboards anyway.

When the electricity and the phone went, the situation became very scary and Anne decided they should try and get out of the house through the back door. She and her mother were horrified to discover that their backyard was covered in sewage. Luckily, Anne’s car was parked on high ground and unaffected by the flooding.

After getting her mother safely away Anne helped rescue an elderly neighbour from her home. Some elderly residents were too frightened to leave.

“While the gardaí were great, we really had to rely on ourselves because there was no emergency plan to deal with the situation we found ourselves in and that was really frightening.”