Ecclesiastical Insurance has urged clients to take precautions ahead of the UK storm season, warning that severe weather has continued to drive record insurance payouts.
The appeal comes after the Met Office released its annual storm naming list, prompting a reminder for property managers to prepare.
In the 2024/2025 season, the UK experienced six named storns, down from the record-breaking 12 in the previous year. Yet the impact remained significant, as insurers paid a record £585 million in weather-related claims for homes and possessions in 2024, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Jo Whyman, risk management director at Ecclesiastical, said the storm names always grabbed public attention but also served as vital prompts. Property owners were encouraged to secure buildings, maintain gutters, clear drainage and avoid repairs in progress during storms, while ensuring insurers were promptly notified post-event.
Jeremy Trott, claims director at Ecclesiastical, also noted the growing unpredictability of UK weather, with insurers paying out unprecedented sums despite a dry first half of the year.
Across Europe, similar extremes of weather also buoyed insurance losses. In Germany, insured losses from floods and storms amounted to €2.6 billion in 2024, approximately €1 billion above the long-term average. Meanwhile, the European Environment Agency reported that between 1980 and 2023, over half of weather- and climate-related economic losses went uninsured in its member countries, with many instances exceeding 90%.
Flooding in Spain during 2024, particularly in Valencia, resulted in insured damage of €3.5 billion within total losses of around €10.7 billion. Across Europe overall, natural disasters led to $31 billion in asset damage, about $14 billion of which was covered by insurance.
These figures signal that the UK is not alone in facing mounting weather-related claims. Insurers across Europe grappled with escalating losses and widening protection gaps. In the UK, quarterly payouts frequently topped £100 million for weather damage, contributing to premium increases of up to 16% for combined home and contents insurance.
In response, insurers are increasingly turning to new tools and structures to manage volatility. Parametric insurance products are gaining traction as a faster form of cover for both households and businesses. Risk-sharing initiatives, such as the Flood Re scheme in the UK, continue to provide a buffer for high-risk homeowners, though industry leaders warn more investment in flood defences and property-level resilience is needed.
The mounting costs underscore the urgency of better resilience building and pre-emptive risk management. Ecclesiastical’s advice to clients reflects a broader call: preventive action remains the best defence against the growing financial and physical fallout of extreme weather.
