A significant leap in car insurance claims resulted from the storms that battered parts of the UK at the beginning of January this year.
New research from AA Insurance revealed a 28 per cent increase in such instances over the first five days of the month when compared with the same time frame in 2010.
According to the figures, the equivalent of more than 1,100 weather-related car insurance claims were lodged every 24 hours during the five-day spell.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, trees, tree branches and dislodged roof tiles were the most common cause of damage in the period.
The industry figure noted eight cars were struck by trampolines, while many more were hit by aerials, wheelie bins and garden sheds .
He observed: “Several customers also had their car door whipped out of their hand by a gust of wind, breaking hinge mechanisms, smashing glass or damaging a vehicle parked in the next space.”
The news comes after recent research from Admiral found 73 per cent of motorists in the UK are concerned their vehicle may be the target of thieves.