Heavy snowfall which affected most of the UK this month has caused a huge increase in the number of car insurance claims for accidents.

Motorists have been warned that they must be prepared for long waits if they break down in the snow and need to be rescued. Anybody who has to drive is advised to take a flask of hot drink and warm clothes with them in case of breakdown.

Esure’s head of communications, Adrian Webb, said "The situation has been made much worse because garages and rescue services are also overwhelmed and they are having to make their way to broken-down cars in exactly the same terrible conditions."

Esure reported that snow-related car insurance claims had already increased by 100% by 11am on the first morning of heavy snowfalls.

The AA’s car insurance call centres also experienced a blizzard of car insurance claims with 30% more calls about car insurance claims by 10am than on a normal morning. The number of snow-related car insurance claims rose to 50% more than usual by mid-afternoon with many motorists losing control on icy roads and crashing into lampposts, trees and each other.

The AA’s spokesperson, Simon Douglas, said "Many drivers are completely unused to driving in snow and ice and inevitably the claims are blowing in with the same force as the blizzards."

The high volume of car insurance claims was in spite of the fact that many people were given the day off work and were therefore not driving.

Car Insurance always includes some exclusions and limitations which should be checked carefully. If in doubt you should check your car insurance policy wording carefully.

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© February 2009