Extreme weather leads to 391% increase in home insurance claims

As forecasters predict cold weather will return (with some parts of the country already experiencing snow flurries) Age UK Enterprises publishes claims data associated with last months cold snap.

Latest data from Age UK Enterprises, the commercial services arm of charity Age UK, demonstrates the impact of this winter's extreme weather on homeowners. Comparison of December 2009 and December 2010 data shows there was an extraordinary spike in weather related damage with a 391% increase in claims. Escape of water claims were up 247% in December 2010.

Gordon Morris, Managing Director of Age UK Enterprises, said: "While at last the weather is becoming milder, the legacy of this winter's extreme cold continues as homeowners are left to repair the damage caused. It is extraordinary that in December the uplift in weather related claims was over 300%. We are working with Ageas Insurance Limited, who underwrite and manage all Age UK Home Insurance claims, to do all we can to help those customers affected and ensure claims are resolved as swiftly as possible."

Customers who would like more information on preparing their home for bad weather should visit the Age UK website for information and advice.

To help those in later life manage in cold weather, Age UK Energy provides its gas customers with a guaranteed Cold Weather Payment of £10 in addition to the Government's Winter Fuel Payment, which rises to £20 for customers aged 80 or above. When the weather is exceptionally harsh, an additional Cold Weather Payment is paid out to all gas customers aged 60 and over, for each day the temperature drops below freezing between December 2010 and the end of February 2011 inclusive. Last year over £4 million in additional cold weather payments was paid to gas and dual fuel customers taking advantage of this tariff.

To find out more about Age UK Enterprises' products and services, visit ageuk.org.uk.