Insurers say government should work with industry to examine flood resistance of modern methods of construction

British insurers have called for a government-led task force with the construction industry to assess building techniques for flood resilience.

A report released by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) says the resilience of offsite construction to flood damage has not been properly tested.

It calls for government to work with the construction industry to look at how timber frame, steel frame and other modern construction techniques stand up to flooding and storm damage.

The ABI claims that it can cost around 10% more to repair steel-framed single homes and almost twice as much to repair factory-finished modules after a flood.

The report also recommends higher minimum standards in Building Regulations should apply to buildings in high risk flood plains, and calls for flood-resilient products to have reduced VAT.

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