UK 'unique' in flood insurance provision
An insurance expert has claimed that the UK is "unique" in the way it provides cover for those at risk of flooding.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), this country is one of just a handful which currently offer flood insurance on the free-market.
This contrasts with the majority of other nations where flood cover must be bought through state-backed schemes.
A spokesman for the ABI said: "The UK is pretty much unique in that flood insurance is widely available.
"It has been since the early 60s and we see no reason why that can't continue.
"We want it to continue, but in the face of increases in flood risk, it is dependent on the government spending the money that is needed and spending it now."
Concerns as to whether the UK will be able to maintain its unique position came into question this summer, when 60,000 homes were affected by heavy rainfall which struck the country in early June.
Met office figures suggest that the abnormal weather conditions made this summer the wettest since rainfall records began in 1914.
September 21st 2007