ILC ARTICLE

Ageas makes Build Back Better pledge

26th April 2022

Ageas has become one of the first UK insurers to sign up to Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme, which helps flood victims protect themselves from further damage.

Instead of simply repairing flood damage, the scheme means insurers will help fund and install preventative measures than can reduce the effects of future floods. This could include flood barriers, self-closing airbricks or moving plug sockets higher up walls.

Ageas Claims Director Robin Challand said, “We know from speaking to our customers just how devastating it can be when your home is flooded. It’s clear to me that if we can take steps to reduce the damage flooding would cause if it happened again, we should. We’re proud to be one of the first insurers in the UK to offer Build Back Better.”

The UK has experienced six of the wettest years on record since 1998, with climate change increasing both the frequency and severity of floods. Flood Re has reported that the average insurance claim following a home flood is £35,000, with repairs often taking longer to fix due to the nature of the damage.

Challand continued, “While it may appear to be a lengthy process, it’s important that everything’s done right first time to enable our customers to return to their homes and resume their normal lives. It makes complete sense to me that while we’re in customers’ homes fixing the damage, we should take the opportunity to install measures that will help to reduce the levels of any future damage should the worst happen again.”

Ageas will offer the scheme from 1 June.