Islands insurance claims up 600% after storm

An insurance company said it had received six months' worth of cases in three weeks

An insurance company said it had seen a 600% increase in new cases since Storm Ciaràn hit the Channel Islands.

The clear-up is continuing in Jersey and Guernsey after the islands were battered by a tornado, strong winds and rain.

Richard Headington, from Channel Islands Adjusters, said it had received six months' worth of cases in three weeks.

The company said it hoped repairs in Guernsey would be completed within six to nine months, but that those in Jersey could be out of their homes for between 18 months and two years.

Mr Headington said: "At a time of the year when daylight is not on our side, one of the immediate challenges has been physically assessing damage across all the islands.

"It has certainly meant some long days for the team, but we have visited 95% of cases within days of taking their case and have issued reports to insurers on 90% of the Storm Ciaran cases.”

Mr Headington said a property in Jersey, which had seen its roof ripped off and the inside "destroyed... truly took my breath away".

"The level of devastation we’ve seen is unprecedented in my career to date,” he said.

The company said islanders should expect insurance premiums to rise following Storm Ciaràn.