Insurers paid out £650 million in dealing with 335,000 claims from customers, who had suffered damage to their cars, homes and businesses following the coldest winter in 30 years, according to new figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

During the heavy snow and freezing temperatures that gripped the UK during December and January, insurers paid out £395 million to insured motorists and £255 million to homeowners and business customers for property damage.

According to the ABI, many of the 268,400 car insurance claims were for accidental damage as motorists struggled on slippery roads.

Nick Starling, ABI’s director of general insurance and health, said: “Insurers will always respond quickly to the large number of claims that often result from bad weather. From dealing with snow damaged roofs, burst pipes, to repairing or replacing vehicles damaged by treacherous driving conditions, insurers helped their customers get through the snow and the freezing temperatures.

“Insurers have paid out nearly £1 billion to customers following bad weather this winter, as the heavy snow came weeks after the flooding in Cumbria, which led to insurers paying out £200 million in flood claims.”