RAB Consultants recently joined Allianz UK and fellow flood resilience specialists at M3 Floodtec’s Droitwich testing facility for a day dedicated to Build Back Better and Property Flood Resilience.
From sharing RAB’s experience of supporting flood-affected homeowners to stepping inside M3 Floodtec’s Flood House as the test tank filled with water, the event offered Allianz claims handlers a practical introduction to the people, processes and products involved in delivering effective flood resilience.
The event provided an opportunity for Allianz’s suppliers to share their expertise with insurance claims handlers who will be managing Build Back Better claims.
Rob Pike, Senior Flood Risk Management Advisor at RAB Consultants, introduced RAB and explained our experience in delivering independent PFR services for Build Back Better claims. Our role includes:
Property Flood Resilience Surveys and Reports
Our ambitious service levels mean that we aim to visit affected properties as quickly as possible after receiving an instruction. This enables us to:
– assess flood damage at an early stage, potentially avoiding the unnecessary removal of fixtures and fittings that may be recoverable once dried; and
– begin identifying appropriate flood resilience options so that the recovery and reinstatement process can progress efficiently.
Options Development and Consultation
We work with the policyholder and loss adjuster to explain the available options and agree an appropriate flood resilience approach.
Post-Installation Audits
Once works are complete, we check that agreed measures have been installed, identify any variations and assess whether the installed measures are suitable and effective.
Post-Installation Flood Risk Reports
RAB provides Allianz and the policyholder with a record of the resilience measures installed and summarises the property’s resulting increased resilience to flooding.
Presentations were also delivered by Emma Holroyde of Flood Re, Craig Spence of Allianz, Joel Read of Ashfield Solutions Group Ltd and Neil Fisher of M3 Floodtec, provided attendees an introduction to the various roles and specialisms required to deliver a successful Build Back Better project.
Putting Flood Resilience to the Test
A highlight of the day was a demonstration at M3 Floodtec’s Flood House, a small bungalow constructed within the test tank at their Droitwich facility.
As part of an introduction to the range of PFR products available, attendees stepped inside the Flood House which includes 4 different British Standard kitemarked flood doors and windows, before the tank was flooded around us. No water ingress was observed, providing a memorable demonstration of flood-resilient technology in action.
The presentations also prompted valuable discussions around some of the more complex challenges associated with PFR, including managing properties exposed to multiple sources of risk, such as how subsidence is considered when specifying flood resilience measures, and understanding the implications of product performance and warranty periods.
Overall, the day was extremely positive and demonstrated the value of collaboration across the PFR and insurance sectors. Bringing together insurers, Flood Re, consultants, contractors and product specialists provided an important opportunity to share experience, address challenges and continue improving the support available to people whose homes have been affected by flooding.
To learn more about RAB Consultants’ experience providing Property Flood Resilience services, please get in touch