Lifetime’s General Insurance Manager Tracy Ward was thrilled this week to receive a lovely thank-you card through the post.
The card came from a grateful client who Tracy had helped secure very satisfactory insurance cover – against the odds.
The client had discovered – whilst in the process of purchasing a house – that it was within a designated flood risk area.
Some properties within the vicinity had been affected by flooding in 2007, but, despite the fact the chosen house had not actually been affected, the client had to disclose the flood risk potential to insurance companies.
That made securing cover difficult, but unfortunately it had to be done before the mortgage could complete.
Fortunately for the client, Tracy was on hand to take on the challenge.
She explained: “I secured the seller’s property information form, and the environmental search and coal authority report from the client’s solicitor.
“The seller’s property information form revealed that although the property itself had not been flooded, the road outside had. The environmental report also identified a low risk of tidal/fluvial flooding and a negligent risk of surface water (pluvial) flooding within 25 metres of the centre of the property.
“I approached a number of our panel insurers and referred the specialist reports for underwriting. Although securing cover was problematic, our efforts and persistency paid off.
“We were able to secure cover on normal terms for the client through a policy with Paymentshield (underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance). We secured the suitable confirmation for the solicitor which satisfied the lender and our client was able to complete on the house purchase.”
“It was a lovely surprise to receive a thank you card in the post on Wednesday morning, and to hear how very grateful the client was. It makes the job all the more worthwhile.”
