Free flood surveys a 'sensible option'

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has urged the government to work with the insuranceindustry to ensure households are protected from flooding.

Free flood surveys for high-risk properties are something that the association has campaigned for, as it believes they will help residents.

Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive for the Biba, suggests VAT exemption for flood repair and defence work would be a "good idea".

Mr Trudgill also recommends that the government should "make it compulsory to carry out resilient repair work on higher risk properties".

Those who are embarking on a self build project have the opportunity to install flood-proof features from the offset.

One couple in Henley-on-Thames have designed a garage that rises to prevent flood damage, the Henley Standard reported.

According to the Association of British Insurers, the insuranceindustry paid out over £3 billion during 2007 as a result of the summer floods.