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As the clear up continues across the Channel Islands, just over five weeks after Storm Ciaràn paid us a visit, one loss adjusters is reporting a 600% increase in new cases.
Channel Island Adjusters its had hundreds of cases reported to them, with "unprecedented levels of storm damage".
The Guernsey based firm works across the islands, and with Jersey having been hit more severely by the storm, its Managing Director said the damage he saw with his own eyes while working there has been "unprecedented" with some people in Jersey likely to be out of their homes for up to two years during repair work.
Richard Headington said the level of damage some of their customers are reporting has added to the challenge facing his team.
“At a time of the year when daylight is not on our side, one of the immediate challenges has been physically assessing damage across all the islands," he explained.
"It has certainly meant some long days for the team, but we have visited 95% of cases within days of taking their case and have issued reports to insurers on 90% of the Storm Ciaran cases.”
Pictured: Storm Ciaran hit Jersey harder than Guernsey with boat owners among those relieved to find less damage than had been expected.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, which hit the Channel Islands overnight from 1 into the 2 November, his staff had to visit every type of building imaginable from a donkey shelter, pig sty, and warehouse to large estates, listed buildings, farms, schools, stables and garages.
Mr Headington said the level of damage has been shocking to see.
“Having more than 36 years’ experience in this profession, I have dealt with some very major fire, flood and water damage claims. However, I don’t think much could beat the damage a tornado force wind is capable of wreaking.
"When I arrived at one property in Jersey to find the entire roof ripped off and everything inside destroyed, it truly took my breath away. The level of devastation we’ve seen is unprecedented in my career to date.”
Loss Adjusting is a specialist area within the insurance industry offering a link between the insurer and the policyholder in large or complex claims.
Pictured: Hundreds of trees fell across Guernsey with some homes and commercial properties damaged but the worst damage was reported in Jersey.
Channel Islands Adjusters is the only locally based business of its type with Josh Smith and Ellie Smith working with Mr Headington and his wife and Finance Director Julie Headington on the storm related claims.
She said the team have had to spend much of their recent time travelling between Guernsey and Jersey.
“Our company motto is - ‘Because…it happens’ - and the last few weeks have been testament to just how unpredictable life can be.
"Tracy, our Operations Manager, has been integral in collating all the information to ensure that claims are logged, policyholders contacted and claims progressed.
"Thankfully, our amazing team of professionals are trained to tackle intense periods, backed up with a technology and administration system we designed ourselves, which helps us all get through the long days.”
As the team work through six months’ worth of cases in just three weeks, involving hundreds of home and property owners, Mr Headington said they are focused on remedying the damage and finding alternative accommodation for those who need it longer term.
“Being a company born and bred in the Channel Islands allows us to truly understand the unique landscape. The communities in all our islands pulled together fantastically, but the next challenge is securing trades such as scaffolders and roofers, who are in short supply.”
It's hoped that all loss adjusting work and repairs in Guernsey will be complete within six to nine months but the time frame is expected to be longer in Alderney and Sark due to the logistical challenge on the smaller islands over the winter months.
When it comes to Jersey, the team expects some people will be out of their homes for between 18 months and two years.
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