Farmers count the cost of Storm Ciara and Dennis

Leading countryside insurer NFU Mutual has received more than 2,800 claims nationally for Storm Ciara, and currently estimates the total claims payouts to its customers to be in the region of £20 million.

The estimated costs are almost double that of Storm Doris which wreaked havoc on the UK during February 2017, resulting in over £11.5 million payouts. 

The November 2019 flooding cost the insurer £3 million.

Approximately 90 per cent are personal home insurance claims for significant storm damage, including fallen trees damaging property, damage to roofs and tiles, water ingress and chimneys being blown over. 

There were 170 claims for vehicles and just over 150 claims for flood-related damage. 

While Storm Ciara caused widespread damage across the UK and a higher number of storm claims to NFU Mutual, Storm Dennis has brought concentrations of heavy rain in localised areas, causing more flood claims than storm claims.

NFU Mutual has received more than 1,000 claims for Storm Dennis so far. It is too early to estimate, but the majority of claims are for to flood damage to homes, which is typically much more expensive to repair and often averages in the region of £20,000. 

The total damage is not likely to be as costly as Storm Desmond in 2015, which cost the insurer £36m.

Paul Branch, head of claims at rural insurer NFU Mutual, said: “Storm Ciara is one of the worst storms to hit the UK for several years and we’ll be paying out in the region of £20m to help our customers get back into their homes and businesses as quickly as possible.”