Crawford & Company said it has mobilised its claims operations following the severe flooding and damage caused by Storm Claudia across parts of England and Wales.
While early notifications lean toward storm-related loss, the firm warned that flood claims may pick up as property owners conduct full damage assessments.
Storm Claudia delivered intense rainfall, with areas such as Gwent recording 81.8 mm in a 24-hour period, roughly 60% of the region’s average November total. Saturated ground and high river levels prompted widespread flood warnings, while in Monmouth (Wales), the River Monnow burst its banks, prompting a major incident declaration and the evacuation of dozens of homes. Although only a limited number of properties have been confirmed flooded so far, insurers anticipate additional notifications as property owners fully assess the damage.
According to Crawford, it has activated its surge response plan, deploying adjusters to impacted areas and using digital platforms to triage and prioritise complex or major losses. Saturated walls exposed to freezing temperatures pose a risk of cracking, while frozen plumbing increases the likelihood of burst pipes, creating potential secondary losses that could extend the financial impact of the storm.
From an insurance perspective, Storm Claudia highlighted ongoing exposure to weather-related risk in the UK. Although concrete insured-loss estimates have not yet been published, UK insurers paid a record £585 million in weather-related claims in 2024. The storm’s effects could therefore place pressure on property insurers’ catastrophe models, pricing, and capital allocations, especially in flood- and storm-prone regions.
Suzanne Ferguson (pictured), Crawford's head of general property and operational excellence, emphasised that the firm's priority is to ensure every customer receives timely support and clear guidance. Teams have been on the ground since the onset of the storm, supporting customers through the immediate aftermath and initial clean-up.
While the majority of claims received so far relate to storm damage, Crawford expects flood-related notifications to increase in the coming days, she said.
The insurer’s approach underscores the importance of claims management and surge preparedness in extreme weather events. With the UK facing an ongoing trend of intense rainfall and flooding, both insurers and policyholders are likely to confront higher exposure and volatility in the property insurance market.
Crawford said it continues to monitor the situation closely, maintaining focus on health and safety for employees and customers, and providing technical expertise to help restore affected homes, businesses, and communities.
