Fuel Card News Motoring Updates: Hailstones the size of golf balls write off cars in Leicestershire

A freak hailstorm that lasted just a few minutes in Leicestershire yesterday has caused such damage that a number of cars are going to have to be written off.

Within half an hour of the storm, which happened at lunchtime yesterday, the AA had received 29 claims for damaged cars, including dents and smashed windscreens. 

Esure, which saw a large spike in claims over lunchtime, has confirmed policy holders will receive payouts for damage resulting from the storm.

Stephen Frost, who lives in Hinckley and saw his home bombarded by hailstones, said: "There was lots of lightning and massive chunks of ice falling. The ground in my road is covered in branches and leaves, my car is covered in small dimples, the wing mirror is broken and the windscreen cracked in two places. 

“I rang my insurer but the windscreen can't be replaced for two weeks because they have had so many calls."

The AA has said that if all the panels of a car have been damaged by hail, it could be cheaper to write it off and replace the entire car rather than try and smooth out the dents.

Simon Douglas, Director of AA Insurance, said: "If your car is comprehensively insured, damage of this sort is covered by your policy.

"Hail can be particularly damaging and we are expecting dozens more claims as customers return to their parked cars and find them ruined.”

In other news, transport minister Norman Baker has announced a £15 million boost in funding to tackle the most dangerous junctions where cyclists have been killed or seriously injured.

Did you know you could save on average 2 to 3 pence on diesel pump prices when using a fixed-price fuel card?  Visit www.fuelcards.co.uk for more information.