Last December’s freezing temperatures in the UK left insurance companies with £1.43 billion worth of claims for property and vehicles, according to figures released by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
The severity of the weather which swamped nearly all the country for an extended period of time caused the amount of damage to be so substantial say the ABI. Burst pipes were responsible for more damage than any other problem and caused £680 million of claims, which was 35 per cent more than were made during the big freeze last year.
Nick Starling, the Director of General Insurance and Health at ABI, said: “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.”