The £650m cost of snow and ice this winter has highlighted the importance of home insurance .
Brits made £605m of insurance claims this winter. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures led to 335,000 claims for damage to homes, cars and businesses, with an average pay out of £1,805 per claim, according to industry figures.
The coldest winter in 30 years led to 268,400 car insurance claims for accidental damage as icy roads led to accidents across the nation. Home insurance claims were double the usual level with 60,200 claims worth £194 million.
Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers, said: “Insurers have paid out nearly £1 billion to customers following bad weather this winter, as the heavy snow came weeks after the flooding in Cumbria, which led to insurers paying out £200 million in flood claims. Insurers will always respond quickly to the large number of claims that often result from bad weather.”