^aBenfield UCL, Hazard Research Centre, University College London, Gower Street, London WCIE 6BT, U.K. E-mail: david@crichton.sol.co.uk

^*This paper reflects the author's personal views.

Abstract

This paper considers the problems of flood risk management in the context of public and private insurance. It demonstrates the important role of insurance in reducing flood risk with examples from the U.K. and France. It includes a brief description of the summer 2007 floods in England.