Sir, - We strongly reject the sentiments expressed in your article "Insurers head for hills as flood levels rise" (Business Briefing, November 11th).
We are fully aware of the trauma and upset experienced by our customers who were unfortunate to suffer flood damage last week. We responded to this by extending the opening hours of our dedicated claims handlers - a fact that we advertised in this newspaper. Our colleagues in the claims area worked closely with our customers throughout the week to assess the level of damage, offer advice about both personal safety and give them every assistance in sourcing contractors and, where necessary, helping them find alternative short-term accommodation.
In addition, we spoke to a number of journalists from this and other newspapers throughout the week confirming that the areas hit by the recent flooding would not find that their properties will be deemed "flood exclusion zones" when they are next renewing their insurance cover. This message was also issued by the Irish Insurance Federation, acting on behalf of the insurers.
To reiterate, an insurable risk is something that could happen, not something that will definitely happen. The areas where flood exclusions have been introduced have resulted because those particular areas will always experience flood in the event of very heavy rainfall - not unusual in the Irish climate.
The article also suggests that it is increasingly difficult to get insurers to accept risk. We are unsure as to the basis of this claim.
Let's stop continually bashing the insurance industry. We suggest that some responsibility must be attributed to the planners, local authorities and indeed the building industry with regard to the locations where new housing estates are built.
If, as the article suggested, the insurance industry worked with its customers and instigated action against local authorities, we have every confidence that we would, in that instance, be criticised for passing the buck. - Yours, etc.,
Anne Mathews, Public Relations Manager, Hibernian Insurance, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.