Catcliffe flood victim 'felt sick' at insurance price hike

Almost 6ft (1.8m) of water hit the house during the flooding in October 2023

A mother whose house has been flooded three times in 25 years has said she now cannot afford to insure her home.

Sally Breeze's property in Catcliffe, Rotherham, was under 6ft (1.8m) of water after the River Don overtopped last October.

The 56-year-old said she felt "physically sick" when she found out her home insurance would almost double to more than £1,000.

Insurer Axa said recent claims and a higher risk of floods led to the rise.

"I can't [foot the bill], something will have to give. I'm having to pay the price for something that was not my fault," she said.

During the flooding in October, she had to be rescued by the fire service with many belongings on the ground floor destroyed.

The floodwater submerged cars outside on the street

The day before she had been at her mother's funeral, with many sentimental items lost in the water.

"It's just devastating," she told BBC Radio Sheffield, adding she now lived in constant fear of the flooding happening again.

"You just sit looking out of the window every time you get a couple of days of constant rain. It's awful."

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Many items on the ground floor of Sally Breeze's home were destroyed, she said

Storm Babet affected more than 120 homes, most of which were in the Catcliffe area of South Yorkshire.

Ms Breeze had been flooded before in 1999 and 2007, with her home insurance costing £598 a year.

After the flood in October, it then "practically doubled" to more than £1,000, she said.

Sally Breeze met the then-Prince of Wales, back in 2007 when she was flooded for a second time

She has been off work due to the stress.

"I've just not been able to cope this time round," Ms Breeze added.

"I'm not going to be able to sell it, nobody in their right mind would want to buy a property down there."

She praised Axa for its help repairing the property, but added she felt the price rise was "unfair".

An AXA spokesperson said a "number of factors" had led to the higher premium "including her recent claims and increased flood risk in the area".

"Inflationary pressure also continues to have an impact across all aspects of the home insurance sector, from pricing and claims to repairs and procurement," they added.

"We are continuing to monitor the economic environment and absorb extra costs and pressures as much as possible to ensure our customers are treated fairly."