Final bill for winter flooding will hit £1.3bn, insurers say

Association of British Insurers says average payout for domestic claims is 50,000 - a rise on last year - but total cost will be less than half of 2007 floods

The final bill for the flood damage caused by this winter's storms is likely to reach 1.3bn, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said. The figure covers damage caused to homes, businesses and motor vehicles by storms Desmond, Eva and Frank during December and over the new year.

The ABI said that nearly 24m of emergency payments had already been made to households and businesses. More than 3,000 families are now in alternative accommodation while their homes are being repaired.