Insurers braced for further flood claims

Insurers are bracing themselves for a rise in the estimated £500m flood bill this year following a stormy end to September.

Northern England, Wales and Scotland saw the worst of the disruption yesterday. Hundreds of homes were flooded and evacuated.

Oriel Securities analyst Marcus Barnard said: “Flooding in villages and small towns is manageable. If it is widespread and prolonged in built-up areas, it’s going to start getting costly.”