Storm warning for home insurance

British residents have been warned that they must have adequate home insurance - as storms could cause damage to their properties.

On average, the average home insurance claim for storm damage is £522 per household, with 620,000 claims made each year, research from Abbey has revealed.

However, 36 per cent of residences still lack adequate home insurance to protect against these possibilities, according to the bank's study.

In total, £324 million is paid out in home insurance claims for storm damage each year.

Prasad Shastri, head of insurance marketing for Abbey, noted that the number of home insurance claims for storm damage is expected to increase in the new year.

Worryingly, many people do not protect their homes properly despite the severe costs that storm damage can cause, he remarked.

He added that homeowners should both protect their property and ensure that adequate home insurance is in place to safeguard against the potential damage.

Last week, the Association of British Insurers issued advice to individuals needing to make home insurance claims, after a tornado damaged a number of homes in London.