Flood plain error punishing homeowners in Mayo estate

Residents in a Balla housing estate are dismayed that insurance companies are incorrectly classing their homes as being located on a flood plain.

Homeowners in the Moat Estate are being hit with sky-high home insurance costs due to the inaccurate classification. Mayo County Council does not consider the estate to be located in a flood plain but insurance companies using European maps disagree.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said householders are frustrated and angry.

“We are being charged €1,000. We moved into the estate in 2017 and were always hit with this flood exclusion but residents who have been living here for 18 years were hit with his flood zone cost three years ago. It’s totally incorrect. We have maps dating back to 1838 and have tried to fight our case showing that it’s not a flood plain. There has never been a flood in the area. It’s incorrect data,” said the homeowner.

She said all insurance companies are using these maps, adding: “It’s just crazy.” 

Homeowners have attempted to get the matter rectified but are hitting brick walls. 

“Everyone tries to pass the problem on and say its somebody else’s responsibility.” 

Local election candidate Harry Barrett has also highlighted the issue.

"The area is not a floodplain, has never flooded and it seems insurance companies are using some unknown European floodplain map to justify charging young families these crazy prices. How this has been allowed to continue for so long I cannot understand," said Mr Barrett.

"People in Moat Estate now feel frustrated and helpless. They keep their homes safe and follow all the rules, but still have to pay a lot for insurance. It's not fair on them. They want something to be done about this issue.

"This cannot be allowed to continue, and I will be contacting the Office of the Insurance Regulator and the Office of Consumer Protection to intervene in this matter," he added.