Special Advice for Insurance Underwriting Managers
Those underwriters who have read this far, must clearly be concerned about flood hazards and future strategies to deal with them. The author very much hopes that underwriters will think carefully about the differences between Scotland and the rest of the country and consider how best to persuade England and Wales to adopt a more prudent strategy which takes into account the realities of the way insurance works.

The author believes that if more insurers were to recognise the achievements in Scotland , this might encourage similar policies in England and Wales . After all, if England and Wales had adopted similar approaches before now, then the insurance guarantee would probably still be secure.

This is not to say that the whole of Scotland is safe from flood risk, but if the relevant local Scottish Council has an active flood appraisal group then the chances are that:

•  There is a presumption against allowing new developments in any area where the flood hazard exceeds the 200 year return period

•  SUDS are being actively implemented in such a way as to reduce the upstream or downstream flood hazard

•  New drainage schemes are subject to a 200 year sensitivity analysis to ensure that properties are not flooded by drainage surcharges

•  Watercourses, culverts, and flood defences are being properly maintained and details of the work done are published (often on the Council's web site)

•  Flood events are being recorded and details published, along with action taken to prevent a recurrence

•  The Council is working closely with Scottish Water, SEPA and the author to minimise future flooding hazard.

In addition to the above, since Devolution, there has been enormous progress in developing flood defence schemes to protect areas at risk.

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