Storms Malik and Corrie hit rural areas hard, reveals NFU Mutual

Rural insurer NFU Mutual has received more than 1,000 claims for damage related to Storms Malik and Corrie.

Storms Malik and Corrie resulted in very strong winds in the last weekend of January and caused extensive damage, particularly in Scotland and Northeast England.

NFU Mutual is assisting members who have suffered damage to their homes, farms and other commercial properties, with claims data showing that high winds have ripped bricks, chimneys and roof tiles from buildings and toppled trees throughout the region.

Power lines were also once again affected, resulting in widespread power outages.

Jon Bird, property claims manager at NFU Mutual, said: “This level of damage goes to show that no storm should be underestimated. As the UK’s leading insurer of the countryside, we know that rural homes and farms are often exposed to the worst of severe weather.”

“That is why we mobilise our network of over 295 local agency offices nationwide ahead of any expected storm, so we are ready to care for our customers and communities when they need us most. During Storms Malik and Corrie, we arranged emergency payments, helped find emergency accommodation where needed, and have been working with over 1,000 customers to assess damage and arrange repairs as soon as possible.

NFU Mutual said the storms also caused further damage to many properties that were affected by Storm Arwen, which itself resulted in more than 7,000 claims.

Claire Gilson, NFU Mutual agent at the Durham Districts Agency, commented: “In one case, repairs to a roof damaged by Storm Arwen were finished on the Friday, only for Storm Malik to cause further damage. In others, members with temporary or ongoing repairs following Storm Arwen found themselves once again looking to NFU Mutual for support.”

“We’ve been able to help our members by quickly sending out loss adjusters to assess damage and by sending immediate payments to those with more simple repairs, meaning people can get on with repairs without worrying about being out of pocket.” 

“In one example, the partner of a local farmer, isolating with Covid-19, found their greenhouse destroyed by Storm Malik. We were delighted to be able to pay an immediate sum into their bank account based on the estimated cost of replacement, allowing them to get back to growing as soon as possible.”

NFU Mutual shared advice with homeowners and business owners to protect their property. Bird added: “We keep an eye for severe weather so we can assist our members before the worst happens. Our agents live and work in the communities they serve, so they know which properties are at risk from severe weather and will do all they can to help customers prepare.”

Mark Dugdale