This report warns that 950,000 - 1.2 million properties are now at risk of flooding, including about 100,000 in London. Britain is having to look at some of the same issues Americans are facing - or should have by now. People can expect higher insurance premiums - and higher losses both of which have begun. In light of Britain being absolutely inundated for the last several weeks, Dr Andrew Dlugolecki, director of general insurance development for CGNU, is attempting to put a smile on the situation though he says insurers are dragging their feet. Britain has far less to worry about than the Mediterranean.
Sea levels are rising - that's inevitable.
But large areas of the UK are already below sea level and adequately defended. There's no reason why southern Britain shouldn't become like the Netherlands, very safe even though it lies mostly beneath sea level. 12 Possibly they are adequately defended from sea level rise, but the question of weather-induced flooding is another matter entirely and the answer to their readiness query should be obvious. Another reason the UK's insurance premiums have risen is subsidence - also a byproduct of global warming. Since 1959, five of Britain's hottest summers have occurred in the last 11 years.