The typical house insurance coverage premium has topped £400 a 12 months for the primary time, with insurers blaming a wave of claims for dangerous climate.
Residence insurers have paid out document claims this 12 months as a result of excessive climate, in response to the Affiliation of British Insurers (ABI).
This has led to the everyday mixed buildings and contents insurance coverage premium rising 3 per cent, from £396 per 12 months between April and June 2024 to £407 between July and September.
The ABI stated insurers have paid out £4.1billion in property claims this 12 months, the biggest on document for the primary three quarters of a 12 months.
It represents an increase of £500million, or 15 per cent, on the identical interval of 2023.
Most of this was brought on by human elements comparable to theft, or accidents comparable to hearth and breakages within the house.
On the rise: Residence insurance coverage premiums have been rising steadily, heaping stress on Britons
However £1.3billion was brought on by harm to properties from storms, flooding, heavy rain and frozen pipes, in addition to subsidence from sizzling climate.
Storms and frozen pipe declare payouts reached £136million within the third quarter of this 12 months.
Claims for climate harm to companies have been £90million, whereas subsidence payouts have been £66million – an increase of 11 per cent on the £59million paid in Q2 2024, and 61 per cent greater than in Q3 2023.
The typical payout per house insurance coverage declare additionally rose to a document excessive of £6,002 this 12 months, in Q2.
The influence of excessive claims is mirrored within the value of premiums. The typical value of mixed constructing and contents house insurance coverage went up by 3 per cent within the third quarter of the 12 months and 5 per cent within the quarter earlier than that.
The typical value of a family mixed buildings and contents coverage in Q3 2024 was £407 – £11 greater than the earlier quarter and £56 greater than the identical interval final 12 months.
The typical buildings-only coverage now prices £329, a rise of £9 on the earlier quarter, and up £57 on Q3 2023.
For contents-only cowl, the common value paid was £138 – secure from Q2 2024 however £11 greater than Q3 2023.
ABI coverage adviser Louise Clark stated: ‘We all know premiums are placing stress on family budgets and, as an trade we’re decided to play our half in tackling the fee pressures behind them.
‘Nevertheless, the trade can’t do that alone. The Authorities should take motion too, and extra funding in flood defence and upkeep is urgently wanted.
‘We additionally must see swift motion on floor water flooding, and an instantaneous finish to constructing on land that’s at a excessive threat of flooding.
‘Flood prevention and resilience measures have to be thought of in all planning selections and constructing requirements – to verify all new buildings are local weather resilient.’