Each day during last December’s record freeze and heavy snow, insurers dealt with over 12,000 claims at a cost of £38 million, to customers who suffered damage to their homes, businesses, and vehicles.
During the month, insurers dealt with some £900 million in property damage claims, helping customers get through the coldest December since records began in 1910. This was the highest payout yet made for damage caused by a bout of freezing weather and heavy snow in the UK.
The figures show that during the period:
– Insurers dealt with 467,000 claims for damage to homes, businesses and vehicles.
– 190,000 claims were for damage to homes and businesses, at a cost of some £900 million (75% domestic; 25% commercial). In Scotland, which was particularly hit, there were 31,000 property damage claims costing some £90 million.
– Of the property claims, 103,000 were for burst pipe damage. The cost of these claims, at £680 million, (average claim costs from £6,500 to £7,200) was up 35% on the amount paid out for burst pipes during the whole of last winter. The large number of burst pipes in Northern Ireland resulted in 6,400 claims worth £40 million.
– There were 278,000 claims from insured motorists for vehicle damage costing £530 million. Many of these claims were for low speed collisions, as motorists struggled on icy roads.
Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said: “Insurers always respond quickly to the large numbers of claims that often follow from bad weather, and helped thousands of customers get through a very tough December. The big freeze highlighted that when bad weather strikes there is no substitute for insurance.
“During a similar bout of freezing temperatures the previous winter, insurers paid out £700 million in weather-related claims. Despite the last couple of winters being costly, insurers will continue to do all they can to ensure that the market remains as competitive as possible for consumers.”
Source : ABI Press Release
