In a month distilled by graphic images of felled trees blocking roads, January witnessed 158 per cent more storm damage than January 2006, the insurer found.

As many as 60 per cent of current home insurance claims are related to weather damage such as cracked pipes, broken windows and waterlogged walls, Barclays reported.

And customers are claiming more than £500 for the damage on average.

Many, however, are finding that minor damage to their homes is not covered under their existing insurance package, forcing them to foot the repairs bill themselves.

“The extremes we have experienced in the last two months have kept everyone on their toes,” remarked Mark Till, marketing director for Barclays Insurance.

Incidents ranging from minor to severe structural damage suggest checking home and contents insurance cover is comprehensive is a must in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather in this country.

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