Storms spark claims surge

GAB Robins is dealing with over double its normal daily intake of new claims instructions following yesterday’s storms.

The loss adjuster predicted that the surge of storm and weather-related claims will continue throughout the next few weeks, just based on yesterday’s weather.

GAB’s surge bulletin said that almost 90% of claims received since yesterday are for domestic claims involving mainly modest value building cases, with several larger losses where falling trees have been involved.

Two people were killed yesterday as winds of more than 100mph hit the country, bringing travel chaos and substantial property and vehicle damage due to falling trees and masonry.

The Met Office recorded a top wind speed of 102mph in Edinburgh as Scotland was affected worse than any other part of the UK.  

The storm resulted in damage to buildings, uprooted trees blocking roads and rail lines, while bridges were closed due to high winds and flights were cancelled.

While the forecasters suggest a “brief respite” today from the winds that battered the country yesterday, they have warned that gusts of up to 75mph should be expected in some areas tonight, with heavy rain forecast in Scotland, which could lead to flooding in the west of the country.

The Environment Agency currently has five flood warnings in place, including three along the river Ouse near York.