INSURANCE companies should do more to cover floodrisk properties, according to Malvern’s MP.

A large number of people are worried the lack of perceived help coming from government will result in huge rises in flood insurance premiums making their homes unisurable and unsaleable.

This is because the Government recently said it will not subisidise the insurance market once there is a change in the way companies price premiums for flood-affected homes, instead focusing its attention on building flood defences such as the bund at Kempsey.

As a result constituents fearful that they will be denied home insurance next year when the Statement of Principles between the insurance companies and the Government comes to an end have flooded West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin’s mailbox.

She said she has spoken to the Environment Agency about updating its flood-risk map to reflect improvements in places such as Uckinghall, Powick, Upton-upon- Severn and Kempsey and added: “Where property-owners have taken steps to build in more resilience to their homes or businesses, this should also be reflected.

“I now feel it is time that the insurance companies took this investment into account and committed to offering a fair package to home and business owners.”

Mrs Baldwin urged anyone who runs into difficulties with their insurance on this matter to contact her or the Association of British Insurers.

It is estimated there are 55,000 people in Worcestershire whose homes are deemed to be at risk of flooding.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We want flood insurance to remain widely available and are continuing to work with the insurance industry to ensure this will be the case after the current agreement between Government and insurers ends in 2013.

“As part of these discussions, over the next few months we will consider whether there are feasible, value for money ways of targeting funding support to those most in need. We will make further announcements in spring next year.”