Labour MPs for both Plymouth and Exeter have called on Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to take action and close a loophole over World War Two bomb insurance claims.
Luke Pollard and Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MPs for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and Exeter have asked the Government to tackle the issue of insurance loopholes which prevents some residents and business owners from receiving insurance cover for damage caused by World War Two bombs.
Mr Pollard and Mr Bradshaw's constituencies in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and Exeter have both seen recent high-profile discoveries of Second World War bombs. In Plymouth, the discovery last month of an SC 500 bomb in the rear yard of a terraced house in St Michael Avenue led to a series of ever-widening cordons, ending with a 300m cordon around the explosive device and eventually a large cordon as it was carried out the city on the back of an army lorry to Torpoint ferry before being dragged out to sea and detonated.
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In 2021 a similar - but larger - Second World War bomb was found in Exeter which led to a 400m cordon around the item as a Royal Navy bomb disposal team detonated it in situ. However, after two years of battling, the University of Exeter lost its bid to receive an insurance payout for damage to its properties affected by the blast.
The 1,000kg bomb, found in Glenthrone Road, left a double-decker sized crater and the university asked for its insurers Allianz Insurance to foot the bill for the damage caused to its halls of residents and business interruption. However, Allianz declined the claim and the matter ended up being taken to the High Court, where the university lost as the damage fell within the scopes of a "war exclusion" clause.
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The Devon MPs have now sent a joint letter to the Chancellor, asking the Treasury to review whether a statue of limitations for Second War bomb damage is needed to exempt damage deemed by insurers as an "act of war."
Mr Pollard noted that the operation to remove the Keyham bomb has reportedly caused damage to some of the properties in close proximity to where the it was found on St Michael Avenue. Similarly Mr Bradshaw has noted the cost to the University of Exeter, after it lost its appeal.
![MPs Luke Pollard and Ben Bradshaw are urging the Chancellor to close the WW2 insurance loophole](https://i2-prod.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/article9144584.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Luke-Pollard-Ben-Bradshaw-World-War-Two-bomb-letter.jpg)
Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: "There are almost certainly other World War Two bombs out there, waiting to be discovered and each one has the potential to kill and destroy property. That’s why closing this insurance loophole makes so much sense.
"After the discovery of two large bombs in Devon over the past few years, it seems sensible to learn the lessons from our experiences. People should know that in the event of the worst happening, their insurance will cover them.
![A broken meerkat garden ornament among a pile of rubble taken from Keyham gardens](https://i2-prod.plymouthherald.co.uk/incoming/article9125423.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Rubble-from-Keyham-gardens-pic-by-WT.jpg)
"What Ben and I are asking for is a small change that makes the world of difference if you’re suddenly affected."
Ben Bradshaw, Member of Parliament for Exeter, added: "I have serious public policy concerns about the insurance industry and the potentially serious consequences of a lack of redress and effective cover for businesses and private citizens who are victims of events that are entirely outside of their control.
"Most people would think it extraordinary that insurers can wriggle out of responsibility by using an “act of war” get out clause for a conflict that ended nearly 80 years ago."