John O'Driscoll - not his real name, as he is still negotiating with his insurer over his flood claim - is a 67-year-old pensioner from Hull.
Now, because of his recent experience, he is doubtful whether he will bother with insurance again. He lives in local authority housing but, unlike many of his neighbours, insured the contents of his home.
"I've been putting into insurance for about 30 years and this is my first-ever claim," he says. "I lost furniture, carpets, electrical items in my kitchen, and all my electronic gadgets including my television and home computer. The insurance company is slow - it says there is no point replacing some things until my home is totally dry."
But his real gripe is that his present insurer will now only offer him cover from if he agrees to pay the first £10,000 of any flood claim. Before the damage, he had a standard £75 excess (which would remain for other risks such as fire and theft).
"I just don't have £10,000 or anything like that sort of money - in fact, I doubt
if all my ground floor belongings are worth anything like £10,000. If I can't find a better deal, then I will be forced to go without insurance. I don't really want that but I can't afford pointless cover either."
