While motorists with fully-comprehensive car insurance should be covered for any storm damage caused by debris, they may not be covered for water damage caused by driving through flooded roads, something that could be even more commonplace in the aftermath of Storm Ciara than damage from flying debris, according to insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk.

It warns that some car insurance policies include clauses advising policyholders not to drive through flooded roads, and may specifically exclude from coverage any water damage to the car if the motorist goes against this advice.

With hundreds of rivers up and down the country bursting their banks after Storm Ciara’s 90mph winds dumped up to 70mm of rainfall in many areas in a matter of hours, motorists could find themselves in the unenviable position of having to turn back in order to avoid a flooded road – or risk facing water damage to their vehicle that might not be covered by their insurance policy.

Greg Wilson, Founder of one of the UK’s leading car insurance comparison sites, Quotezone.co.uk, explained: “Motorists who have taken out third-party or third-party, fire and theft insurance likely won’t be covered for any storm damage to their vehicles, whether it’s caused by flying debris, a falling tree or a river that has burst its banks.

“However, many motorists who hold fully-comprehensive may be unaware of the fact that they’ll almost certainly be covered for the first two of those eventualities but may not be covered for the third.

“Some car insurance providers include clauses and policyholder guidance in their policy documentation that stipulates motorists must not drive the vehicle through flooded roads, and this clause is often present in fully-comp policies as well as less comprehensive levels of cover.

“With some parts of the UK experiencing a month-and-a-half’s worth of rainfall in a matter of hours getting where you need to go without encountering a flooded road could be easier said than done. Unfortunately, though, if you do decide to drive through these roads rather than backtracking to find an alternative route there’s a very real risk that you won’t be covered for any resulting water damage to your car.”

More than 100 flood warnings and 200 flood alerts are currently in place across England, with dozens more in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.