Flood Re launches claims campaign to accelerate adoption of property flood resilience and resistance

Flood Re has launched a new dedicated, online, e-learning module for loss adjusting professionals and claims management specialists as part of its drive for flood resistant and resilient reconstruction to become the norm for all flooded properties. It reflects the need to urgently accelerate adoption of PFR and reduce the probability that the availability and affordability of flood insurance could decline after Flood Re’s exit in 2039.

The initiative is also part of Flood Re’s wider 10-year anniversary Re-Think campaign, calling on all those involved in the flood sector to Rethink Risk, Rethink Resilience and Rethink the Future.

Launched at the British Damage Management Association’s annual conference in Nottingham today, the new training module within its established Flood Re Academy will help claims professionals be more confident when explaining and guiding policyholders/householders through the role, benefits and funding of PFR measures; to talk with insight on the PFR options available and emphasise the need for professional assessment and installation.

Flood Re is also urging all those instigating repairs and restoring properties to not only have the confidence to talk about PFR, but to acquire the specialist skills needed to implement it.

Kelly Ostler-Coyle, director of corporate affairs, Flood Re commented:

“The claims sector is on the front line when it comes to driving forward property flood resilience. And with flood risk increasing the need to ensure there is an army of skilled and informed PFR practitioners at the ready has never been more urgent.

“PFR installed appropriately and correctly, can make a huge difference in the event of flooding, from limiting damage to enabling householders to return to their home in days, if not hours. However, despite Flood Re’s Build Back Better initiative providing funding for resilience and resistance measures following a flood claim, take up isn’t at the level needed. Education of the insurance market is part of the solution, but the real need is for those instigating repairs and restoring properties to fully embrace it.

“We believe there is a huge opportunity for the claims sector to re-think their skill sets, re-skill and take advantage of the emerging PFR market. So, let’s all re-think how resilience can be achieved, as the decisions and investment in new skills made now will shape the UK’s flood resilience of the future.”

Adrian Jolly, chair, BDMA added:

“We are delighted that Flood Re has chosen our conference to launch this important initiative. The BDMA is fully supportive of Flood Re’s aims, and is encouraging members, and those across the wider claims sector, to ensure they are up to speed on Build Back Better, the benefits of PFR, and are confident in talking about delivering it in practice.

“Our sector should be at the forefront of the fledgling PFR market, which will, as flooding continues to rise, become more mainstream and in demand.”

The Flood Re Academy, which was launched in the spring last year, now consists of seven specially created chapters, accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute. The first module of five chapters is focused on what Flood Re is, how/why it was set up, the eligibility criteria, the Build Back Better initiative, the use of outside spaces to reduce flood risk as well as how the Flood Re Scheme has, and is, evolving. The Academy already has almost 2,000 registered users and has issued over 800 accredited passes.

Image provided by Flood Re

Alicia Ward