Majority of storm assessments are for external storm damage

LAS Claims says it has dealt with a “significant” increase in claims volumes in the last two days as a result of St Jude.

Reports have been coming in thick and fast, as the Birmingham-based building claims management company reported a 600% increase in claims received at its offices on Monday and a 300% increase on Tuesday.

LAS chief executive, Darren Cooper, added: “We have been able to call on our own team of directly employed surveyors to handle the surge.

“Our team got to work immediately, and most of the assessments they are making are for external storm damage. There’s very little interior damage to report at this stage.”

The areas affected include south coast towns and cities including Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Brighton, Medway towns including Tonbridge, and parts of East Anglia, especially Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich.