UK storm payout 'may hit £350m' 

The storms caused widespread damage across the UK. Insurers could face a £350m bill for the damage caused by storms that swept across the UK in January, experts say.

Winter storm Kyrill battered Europe on 18 January, 2007, and led to 13 UK deaths. Despite the devastation it caused, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the event would be only the eighth most expensive UK weather incident. High winds that hit the country in the first few weeks of 1990 - costing insurers £3.37bn - remain the most expensive for insurers.

Source: BBC.co.uk Date: Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Script: Insurance Claim

Tom: Why are you looking so pleased with yourself?

Sam:  I’ve just received a cheque for £2000 from my insurance company.

Tom: For what?

Sam: For my garage – it was destroyed in the storm.

Tom: What garage?

Sam: My garage.

Tom: But you don’t have one – how can you possibly claim insurance.

Sam: Well I did have one – it was destroyed in the storm of 1990.

Tom: And did you not get an insurance payout then?

Sam: Of course I did – but that doesn’t stop me claiming every time there’s a bad storm – this is my fifth payout!!