This winter has seen insurers pay out £650 million in claims. For thousands of Britons the icy weather caused chaos, damaging cars, businesses and homes. In total 335,000 claims were made as a result of bad weather. Insurers responded quickly and were well equipped to provide financial support and advice to consumers and businesses.

The winter of 2009/2010 is reported to have been the coldest in Britain for over 30 years, so it comes as no surprise that this year the cost of weather damage has doubled the average. Over half of the total sum paid out by insurers was for the repair of vehicles damaged as a result of slippery roads. Almost 300,000 drivers benefitted from their motor insurance cover.

The remaining £255 million was paid to fix homes and businesses that had suffered as a result of the heavy snow fall. The bulk of this sum went to repairing things such as damaged roofs or burst pipes on houses that were particularly exposed to harsh weather conditions.

With the snow coming just weeks after the Cumbria floods, the insurance sector has paid out a total of £950 million. By acting quickly and fairly UK insurers have helped thousands of consumers rebuild their lives this winter.

Tags: abi, association of british insurers, home insurance, Insurance, insurance - car