UK storms: Direct Line expects insurance claims to reach up to £140m

Insurance company, which sent out almost 200 claims advisers and adjustors, says about 90% of first damage assessment visits have been completed

Direct Line, one of Britain's biggest insurers, will take a hit of up to 140m from the three storms that flooded parts of Britain in recent weeks.

The company put the total cost of clients' claims in its home and commercial divisions at between 110m and 140m. This was less than analysts had feared, and the company's shares rose 2% to 369.6p.