‘Provide proof of flood cover refusals’

Cork county manager Martin Riordan has asked his councillors to furnish him with proof from businesses and householders that insurance companies are refusing to quote for flood cover.

Mr Riordan also believes that an insurance levy of some sort should be developed nationally to protect homes and businesses in areas prone to flooding.

Mr Riordan made his comments yesterday after a number of councillors claimed they had heard people hit by the floods of Jun 28 last were not having their flood insurance renewed.

He said if he was provided with proof of this from the public he would gladly take up the issue with the Insurance Industry Federation.

Cllr Deirdre Forde (FG) said she had heard from several people in Douglas that they were either being refused flood cover altogether, or being asked to pay huge premiums.

Douglas-based Cllr David Boyle (Ind) said the insurance issue was “causing great concern to businesses and residents” and he asked the county manager to make representations to the insurance companies.

“Businesses face huge challenges as it is. Some say they are not getting flood cover, but at the same time insurance companies are still putting up premiums, Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) said.

Cllr Veronica Neville (FG) said her legal practice in Bandon was flooded three years ago.

“I’m still refused (flood) insurance cover and will not be able to get it until the flood prevention and sewerage works are completed. Premiums have increased, I can confirm, even without flood cover,” Cllr Neville said.

Cllr Ronan Sheehan (Lab) said his home was flooded on Jun 28 and his premium had gone up. “The value of a property is decreased significantly if it can’t get flood insurance,” he said.

Cllr Dermot Sheehan (FG) wondered if such households would be exempt from the new property tax.

Mr Riordan said he wanted to hear of cases where people had been refused cover.

Flooding on Jun 28 hit Clonakilty, Glanmire, Douglas, Rathcormac and Ballinascarthy hardest.

“It seems unreasonable for insurance companies to withdraw from an area. There should be a national process to spread the risk,” Mr Riordan said.

He said the county council was trying to do as much as it could to prevent further floods, while having to wait for the OPW to come up with designs for major flood prevention schemes.

“We will have equipment and personnel on standby when we get a weather warning,” he said.

He added that interim flood prevention works would get under way in Douglas in the middle of next month.