'I've recovered from floods quicker without insurance than 12 years ago when I was insured' - how Doncaster is recovering from floods and lockdown

Phil, who was uninsured, was one of many businesses devastated by the waters which gripped parts of Doncaster including Conisbrough, Fishlake and Bentley last November.

But today, his Ferryboat Farm Fisheries angling lake is at Old Denaby back in business and he is back in the home he shares on the site with his wife, Dawn.

Phil’s is one of a number of businesses who have had to do things the hard way because they did not have insurance – but he believes he is up and running quicker for having turned it around himself, even if he is out of pocket.

He estimated the damage at tens of thousands of pounds. But carrying out the work himself and with friends who helped him, and with help from businesses who gave him discounts because of his circumstances, he has now taken the first steps towards getting back in business.

When the Government gave permission three weeks ago for angling lakes to re-open for the first time since lockdown started, he allowed the first anglers back on the site since the floods disaster struck in November.

They are having to stay apart to fit in with social distancing rules, but it means he finally has an income.

“It is just the club house that is not fixed now,” said Phil. “Fishing has been back three weeks. We’re not back 100 per cent, but it is brilliant.

“It has worked out better than it did last time we were flooded when we had insurance. They told us we were under insured, and we only got 58 per cent of the claim. It took two years to get the final payment.

“Knowing the circumstances, this time the plasterer did the work for a reduced rate, Safestyle UK did us discounted windows, and Doncater Council helped with things like skips.

“It’s great to have an income, although we have not been able to have caravans here yet. As soon as the Government says we can, we will do. We were fully booked for Easter and the Bank Holidays.”

He is not the only business to have brought his premises back to working order without help from insurance, only to be hit by the lockdown.

Pam Webb paid for repairs to her flooded Truffle Lodge Spa in Fishlake, after the water had left her business and her home under water.

Fishlake is a village still trying to recover. Many homes still have caravans outside, temporary accommodation for residents who have still been unable to get back into their flooded properties

Pam managed to get her businesss back up and running in January – only for things to grind to a halt in March when the Government brought in restrictions.

Pam paid for repairs out of her own pocket, because a clause in her insurance had been introduced which meant flood damage was not covered.

Work to bring her own home, on the same site as the business, back to scratch has been slow. She was awarded a Government resilience grant, but had to wait until April 27 before she could have screeding – a layer of cement and sand – done under the floor.

“My home is still in disrepair, but it feels like something is happening now,” she said. “I don’t think anyone would have expected the battle we’ve had on our hands. The application for resilience grants has been a long process. I was one of the first to apply in December and only got the go-ahead in late April, and I know of people who had work done and tried to get money retrospectively, but were refused because it did not meet standards.

“I would estimate there is a 70-30 split of people who are dissatisfied with insurance compared to those who are happy.”

The staff who work at the spa on Trundle Lane are on Government assistance for self employed people, while Pam is getting by on a £10,000 small business grant. She said there were expenses that still needed to be paid.

Pam is hoping the Government will give businesses like hers permission to re-open in July, but says she has support from customers who have re-arranged bookings for different dates, or bought vouchers from her.

Farmer Steve Gilleard saw his cattle shed and fields flooded, and has argued with his insurance company over whether a field was contaminated by pollution. He is going to have to pay to re-seed the field himself.

His farm on Sour Lane flooded shortly after the main village of Fishlake.

He has seen his business hit financially, because vaccinations he had to give his cattle mean many of them are still unable to be out in the fields. The vaccinations were paid for by the insurers, because they were needed because of the floodwater on his fields.

He also still has fences to fix. He said: “Including our time, I think we’ll be out of pocked by around £30,000.” Ironically, he says his fields now need rain after months of dry weather.

Back in Fishlake village, pensioners Kath Smith and Mick Ryan are still living in temporary accommodation.

Mick, a retired electrical technician, and partner Kath Smith, were evacuated from Fishlake last year after the Don burst its banks on November 8.

Mick, is undergoing treatment for cancer.

The couple were insured, but feel things are still moving slowly and have no idea when they may be able to return.

Kath says they and the insurance firm disagree over whether they need to have their floorboards and plastering replaced.

She said: “I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by it all now.

“All that has been done is that it has been dried out and they have started doing some electrics. But the bungalow still looks like a tip. I understand lockdown, but we’re not there so social distancing should not be a problem. I don’t feel I’m getting anywhere.

“They tested the soil in our back garden, and that has all had to come up because our heating oil tank split.

“There’s no way Mick could go back to the bungalow as things stand. It would make him ill. It just doesn’t feel as though things are moving along.”

Glyn Davies, 64, and wife Jo, 50, “lost everything” and live in a caravan on their drive in Fishlake. Repairs on their property were due to begin on April 13 but the lockdown delayed things.

Glyn said: “We’re the only residents on our street – our neighbours rent in another village. We’re totally isolated.”

Fellow Fishlake resident Alan Buck moved into a caravan on his neighbour’s drive in December.

The retired glass factory worker, 76, had lived in his bungalow for 36 years.

Alan saved some valuables and stayed with relatives before his insurance company paid for a caravan.

Insurance payouts

Insurance payouts to people hit by the recent floods in Yorkshire and the Midlands are expected to reach £110 million, according to initial estimates from the Association of British Insurers.

A spokesman said having your home flooded is extremely distressing and insurers want to help people return to normality and back in their homes as quickly as possible, but it is a long process and can take a significant amount of time depending on the damage caused.

They said: “It can take time to fully dry out a property and is important that it is done properly to ensure there are more problems further down the line. This is not insurer’s dragging their feet but ensuring that the property is repaired properly.

“Damage management have innovative solutions to drying and repairing properties and damaged contents, so it is sometimes the case that a customer feels that an item should be fully replaced but it is not required. Insurers don’t always have to strip everything out and replace everything as they can repair and decontaminate many items.

“Insurers have reported that although there are some delays given Covid-19, these are not significant and insurers and their supply team have been working hard to ensure that their customers are kept up to date with schedules of works, and that works can continue as best as is possible under the current circumstances.

“If customers are worried their claim isn’t progressing as it should be, they should speak to their insurance representative to ask for detail on timings which they will provide. For major concerns individuals should first complain to their insurer directly, and if still unhappy can speak to the Financial Ombudsman Service who will provide an independent decision on the claim.”

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