Battered homeowners and businesses, particularly in the north and east of England, were today counting the cost of the recent storms that have brought havoc to huge swathes of the country.

Insurance industry insiders have estimated the damage to be in the region of tens of millions of pounds, and are reckoning that the typical claim will come in around the £15,000-£20,000 level – although this could be more.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued an action plan for people with property damaged by the flooding. It contains advice about the schedule of events claimants should follow when assessing the damage to their property and submitting their claim.

“You should contact your insurer as soon as possible, of course, and take advantage of its 24-hour helpline service for repairs,” said a spokesperson.

“If necessary, you should arrange for temporary repairs to be made to stop any damage getting worse and keep the receipts. Some policies will cover the cost of alternative accommodation if the damage is so bad that you have to move out.”

Homeowners affected by flooding should also ensure that the property has dried out properly before attempting to redecorate and should disinfect all the areas covered by water.

The ABI called on the Government to increase its annual spending on flood defences to £750m in the light of increasing extreme weather events.