A tidal surge and storm that has battered large parts of Britain is likely to lead to a string of insurance claims from residents.
It is the latest significant weather damage, coming after the St Jude storm hit southern England in October, leading to insurance pay outs of about £130m.
Insurers say they should be able to deal with all the calls fairly easily, as they are used to "bad weather events".
"Their main priority will be making sure that claims from their customers are dealt with as quickly as possible, arranging temporary accommodation, making emergency payments where necessary, and assessing the damage when safe to do so," said a spokesman from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
I've been affected. What should I do first?
Insurers advise that you should contact them as soon as possible. Most companies offer a 24 hour emergency helpline. But it is important that serious damage is inspected as soon as possible.
It is useful to keep a mobile phone handy if power lines are down.
Am I covered for storm damage?
Most household, business and comprehensive motor policies cover both flood and storm damage. If damage is serious, and you need to move out of your home temporarily, most policies will cover the cost up to a specified limit. Typically you can spend up to 20% of the total insured value to cover alternative accommodation and heating costs.
Can I arrange for repair work to be done immediately?
If work needs to be done to stop further damage occurring, you can go ahead and get the repair work done. But keep receipts. Photos are also a good idea.
Coastal areas were among the worst hit by the storm
Who will assess the damage?
If the damage is serious enough, your insurance company will appoint a loss adjuster. He or she is independent of the insurance company, but paid by it. A loss adjuster should contact you within 24 hours, and visit your home within three days. But bear in mind that many loss adjusters will be extremely busy for the next few weeks. The loss adjuster will give you a timetable for the repair work, and tell you who will be doing it.
Should I appoint my own loss adjuster?
If you decide to appoint your own, you will have to cover the costs yourself. The insurance company will not pay. So be certain to ask for their charges before you hire them. And remember that the insurer's own loss adjuster may have a different opinion to yours.
If a roof tile comes off, and causes damage to somebody else's property, am I covered?
Most buildings insurance policies contain liability cover, up to a certain amount. Individuals are advised to contact their insurance company for further advice.
Cars were damaged as some areas were flooded amid the poor weather
What about damage to my car?
Comprehensive motor insurance covers damage to your vehicle, but third party, fire and theft cover does not include damage from storms or floods.
If your vehicle is damaged by something such as a falling roof tile, to be able to claim against the homeowner, you would need to show that they were legally liable or negligent.
Will insurance premiums go up as a result of this storm?
Insurance companies say they are not expecting premiums to go up "across the board".
However. more than one claim during a year can push up a premium at renewal. A claim could also bring a no claims discount to an end.
How much will this storm cost insurance companies?
It is still too early to say. The St Jude's storm in October cost £130m. The great storm of October 1987 cost insurance companies £2bn in today's money. The floods in the summer of 2007 cost more than that: £3bn.
Source: BBC
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