Aviva has widened access to home insurance in Ireland, bringing 13,000 more homes in flood-risk areas within reach of coverage as worries about severe weather intensify.
The insurer said these properties now qualify for policies because flood exposure assessments have changed, according to RTÉ.
Here's what to know
Updated flood maps and new risk analyses have widened eligibility, Aviva Insurance Ireland explained, allowing more households in flood-prone parts of the country to obtain coverage.
In Aviva's accompanying research, 62% of homeowners said they are concerned their property could be hit by extreme weather damage, while 10% had experienced flood damage.
Storms appeared even more often in survey responses, with 24% reporting issues such as roof, gutter, or fence damage, or destruction caused by fallen trees.
More background
The survey showed broad support for tougher building rules in vulnerable areas.
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Some 58% of homeowners believed homes should be built in flood-prone locations only when strong flood defenses are already in place.
Even with that level of concern, many households have not prepared. Aviva found that 46% of homeowners had taken no measures to better shield their property from extreme weather.
As average temperatures soar and waters heat up, extreme weather events like flooding occur more frequently, cause more damage to homes and businesses, and are deadlier.
For households already dealing with those repairs, access to insurance affects how quickly they recover and how much of the financial burden they must shoulder.
What's being done?
Aviva linked the expansion in cover to revised flood mapping and improved risk assessment.
Joanie Hughes, managing director at Personal Lines, Aviva Insurance Ireland, explained the change.
"The fact that we are now able to extend home insurance cover to an additional 13,000 homes in flood-risk areas across Ireland is a positive example of the progress being made through investment in flood protection measures, improved understanding of risk and greater collaboration across stakeholders," she said.
Among homeowners who made upgrades, 19% said they replaced or improved gutters and downpipes, and 18% said they carried out roof maintenance or repairs.
Another 13% said they bought an emergency kit, while 11% said they worked on drainage.
Aviva also welcomed the Government's creation of the Flood Insurance Working Group.
Hughes said it is "an important and positive step that brings together key stakeholders with a shared focus on strengthening flood resilience, supporting communities and improving access to insurance for homeowners across Ireland."
Where can I learn more?
Flood risk is changing what homeowners can insure and what that coverage costs.
• In Wisconsin, homeowners pushed for flood insurance discounts as recovery costs mounted.
• In western North Carolina, families only learned standard policies excluded flood damage after hurricane waters rose.
• In California, insurers pulled back from flood coverage, leaving homeowners with fewer options.
• In Louisiana, a new law could see insurers flee the flood market, deepening homeowner uncertainty.
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