The Association of British Insurers is publicising the importance of owners preparing their properties for the forthcoming stormy autumn recently forecast by the Met Office due to the historically large scale of the El Niño weather event that has been recorded in the Pacific Ocean.

Last year, insurers paid out £1.2bn in claims for extreme weather property damage to people’s homes and business premises.

Chris Bose, director of general insurance and international policy at the ABI said: “While storms and flooding may be the last thing on people's minds after the heatwaves, the Met Office's warning of a wet and stormy season ahead is another reminder of how unpredictable and powerful our weather can be. Insurers are on hand to help people recover after extreme weather, but taking simple steps now can help reduce the risk of damage to homes and businesses.

“This upcoming bank holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the bad weather and make sure your property is prepared. We also call on government to ensure stronger climate resilience measures are built into all new homes, helping to reduce the risk of damage and better protect communities in the long term.”