Severe weather from Storm Goretti over the weekend has triggered a sharp rise in insurance claims, particularly across property and agricultural sectors, highlighting the operational challenges insurers face during extreme events.
The storm prompted amber and red weather warnings from the Met Office, with the most severe impacts reported in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Wales, and the Midlands. Damage included uprooted trees, blocked roads, structural damage to homes and businesses, and disruption to power and water services.
Crawford & Company said it has mobilised teams nationwide to manage the surge, combining digital triage with on-site inspections to maintain timely claims processing despite access restrictions in rural areas.
Claims volumes and sector impact
Crawford reported claims volumes at around three times the normal level, with the highest concentrations in PL and TR postcode areas. The Channel Islands have also seen elevated claim activity. The majority of claims relate to property damage, including roofing, guttering, chimneys and structural impacts, as well as uprooted trees affecting vehicles and buildings. Agricultural claims are significant, particularly for farm buildings and livestock infrastructure.
"We're prioritising the hardest hit ares and will keep clients closely updated as volumes evolve," said Suzanne Ferguson, head of core claim solutions at Crawford.
The storm has caused approximately 10,000 homes to lose power and water, potentially creating a secondary wave of claims, especially for agricultural policyholders exposed to livestock risks. Insurers must anticipate these delayed losses and prepare for increased payouts.
Ongoing exposure
Storm Goretti illustrates the ongoing exposure insurers face from extreme weather, particularly in rural and agricultural markets. Rapid response capability is critical for maintaining client confidence and controlling loss costs.
Insurers and managing agents must ensure systems can handle sudden spikes in notifications, maintain continuity of operations, and accurately assess claims in complex scenarios such as denial of access or utility outages.
The event also highlighted the importance of advanced claims triage and deployment strategies to manage volume surges, data-driven risk assessment to anticipate secondary claims waves, and proactive guidance for policyholders to mitigate preventable losses, reducing claim severity. Preparedness for increased reinsurance recoveries and the potential impact on underwriting assumptions in property and agricultural lines is also critical.
"This is an extremely challenging and distressing time for rural communities and business that have been affected by this storm," said Andrew Shaw, head of agriculture at Crawford.
