MP's office offers expert advice to residents and businesses facing insurance hikes after floods

As householders and business people in the South Lakes face the possibility of increased insurance premiums following November's floods, MP Tim Farron has teamed up with environmental specialists to offer free expert advice. Peak Associates Environmental Consultants - based at Lancaster University - will be working with Tim Farron to help local people who feel that they are being unfairly treated by insurance companies.

Residents or businesses should contact Mr Farron's office in Kendal if they have concerns. Peak Associates will then provide assistance through Mr Farron's office based on their expertise on flood risk to press insurers to justify any hikes in premiums or excesses.

Tim Farron said, "Whilst I hope that insurance companies will not make life even harder for those affected by the floods, I am determined to protect the interests of anyone who does feel that they are being offered an unfair deal when it comes to renewals.

"The floods in November caused enormous devastation to businesses and to many households - it would be very wrong if that devastation was exacerbated by insurance companies taking advantage of the situation. I am extremely grateful to Mike Matthews and his team at Peak Associates for offering to help me to provide high quality advice so that I can assist South Lakes residents to stand up to insurance companies who act unfairly"

Mike Matthews, Managing Director of Peak Associates Environmental Consultants, said, "We are pleased to be able to help local residents and businesses who having faced the trauma of flooding might find their premiums increasing unfairly over the next twelve months."