Highest number of insurance calls since 2007 floods

The recent storms and bad weather have generated the highest number of calls since the floods of last summer, according to one insurer.

Abbey stated that call volume doubled by half with people enquiring about their insurance cover while claims increased by over 55 per cent.

Findings from the financial expert said that the average claim total for 2007 storm damage stood at £913 while the average claim total for flood damage is £15,350.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said that some of its members will already have started contacting policy holders in the hardest hit areas.

Speaking to the Guardian, spokesman for the ABI, said: “Insurers will be contacting customers and saying that they know they are in the eye of the storm, as it were, and offering them help with their claim.”

Abbey insurance advised homeowners to keep all insurance and important documents in a water tight container and ensure you have a copy of your insurance hotline telephone number in the event of an emergency.

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Storms boost insurance claims

Britain is currently being ravaged by severe storms and thousands of people have woken up to find damage to their homes and property.

Weather experts are already predicting that there is worse to come in 2007 and hundreds of millions of pounds will be spent on insurance claims.

However, Abbey is warning that 36 per cent of all homes in the country are not insured at all, meaning the owners will be forced to foot the bill should the worst happen.

Speaking in December, Prasad Shastri from Abbey gave homeowners a warning that has been vindicated in the early part of 2007.

“Already we have seen a significant increase in storm related claims within the last month and this is expected to continue into 2007,” he said.

“Worryingly many people do not protect their homes properly despite the severe costs that storm damage can cause.”

Research from Abbey shows that 620,000 insurance claims are made every year as a result of storm damage, with estimates that each individual claim is worth £522.

Weather experts have hinted that another round of storms may hit the UK as early as next week and homeowners are advised to check their insurance policies and ensure that they provide adequate cover.

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