Home insurance firm in weather warning

Britons should take note of the terrible weather experienced in 2007 and see it as a sign to ensure they have adequate home insurance protection, one expert has advised.

Nikki Sellers, the head of home insurance at esure, commented on the 20th anniversary of the Great Storm that caused massive damage and disruption in the south-east.

Data revealed by the home insurance firm shows that with costs adjusted to modern prices, the storm is the third most costly weather incident in the last quarter of a century, at £2.09 billion.

The atrocious weather in 2007 combined with this anniversary should act as a reminder to every homeowners of the fundamental importance of maintaining good home insurance cover, remarked Ms Sellers.

Other weather incidents highlighted as causing a huge amount of damage - and therefore home insurance claims - were windstorms in 1986, 2002 and 2005.

Although many Britons would have faced high bills or home insurance claims this year with the severe flooding, the effects were felt more keenly as one man lost his life when his leg became trapped in a storm drain.