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Structural damage claims rise after Kent earthquake

Insurance companies are having to deal with a large number of claims for structural damage to properties after an earthquake struck Kent at the weekend.

One insurer, Lloyds TSB, said it had over 2,000 customers in the affected area and was looking into a variety of claims regarding damage to outer walls, driveways and pathways and collapsed chimneys.

The company also issued some guidelines for homeowners who may have been affected by the earthquake, advising them to not throw away damaged items before insurers have inspected them and to find out if their policy covers temporary accommodation if their home has been made uninhabitable.

"As always in situations like this, time is of the essence," said Phil Loney, managing director of Lloyds TSB Insurance.

"We have made sure that all our staff are fully prepared to handle the increase in claims following the earthquake," he added.

The earthquake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale and shook the Kent town of Folkestone on Saturday morning, with Malcolm Tarling of the Association of British Insurers telling the BBC he expects the cost of the damage to run into millions of pounds.

30/04/2007 17:45:56

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