Aviva chief executive Amanda Blanc has warned that new homes being built in England are at risk of becoming uninsurable in the future because of flood exposure. Blanc said the country was "for sure" constructing properties that "might be uninsurable at some point in the future."
Her comments underline growing concerns about the interaction between property development, flood risk and the insurance market. Flooding is widely cited as one of the climate-related hazards that can increase the cost and complexity of providing cover for homes in high-risk areas.
Blanc's warning could sharpen debate among developers, insurers, lenders and policymakers about where and how future housing should be located and protected. If more properties become difficult or impossible to insure on commercial terms, it may have implications for buyers seeking mortgages and for the availability of affordable cover.
The remarks from the head of Aviva, a major UK insurer, add to a broader conversation about planning policy, resilience measures and the role of the insurance sector in responding to evolving environmental risks. Officials and industry participants may face pressure to consider how to balance housing supply with long-term safety and insurability.
Further detail on any specific areas or developments Blanc had in mind was not provided in her comments. The issue is likely to remain prominent as stakeholders weigh the costs of flood defences and other adaptation measures alongside the risks posed by building on flood-prone land.