The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Country facing £100m bill for Doris damage
Knock-on costs likely to be more than insured amount
Storm Doris could cost the nation more than £100 million, though the full effect of the “weather bomb” may not be known for days.
Insurers have previously paid out £143 million and £135 million UK-wide following similar storms.
The Association of British Insurers has warned that Doris’ knock-on costs – including lost working hours and business, travel delays, power cut repairs and clean-up – may be even bigger than insured costs.
With much of Scotland hit by Doris’ snow and gales, just one hour’s lost work by half of Scotland’s working population due to the storm would have cost the economy £27m.
Gusts in excess of 100mph in Liverpool made Doris Britain’s strongest storm of the winter, while the RAC dubbed the day “Black Thursday” in light of the season’s worst travel disruption.
Further storms and snowfall are predicted to hit Scotland over the next fortnight, resulting in further disruption and monetary pain.
Rob Townend, claims director for Perth-based Aviva, said: “Since Storm Doris hit, we’ve been providing emergency support and we have increased our resource to ensure we can help as many people as possible to make a claim.
“So far we’ve seen a 70% increase in telephone calls and claims from across the UK mainly for loose roof tiles, broken glass and fallen trees.
“The worst affected areas so far are the north west, central regions and East Anglia.
“Clearly it’s still early days and many people may not yet have had the chance to check their properties.
“When it’s safe to do so, we’d advise customers to inspect their properties for any damage and either call us or claim online at their convenience to ensure we can help them as soon as possible.”
Forecasters have said further Atlantic low pressure systems will buffet Scotland next week and beyond, with strong winds, downpours and snow.
The bad weather is predicted to begin today, with winds nudging 55mph in western Scotland and downpours due in the south-west.
Monday will begin with more widespread gale force winds and snow, down to low levels, with warnings that rainfall and snow melt could cause low-level flooding.