Merlin News

Folkestone Earthquake

AMG are today dealing with a number of major claims for structural damage to buildings in the Folkestone area following an earthquake which struck at 08.19 on Saturday morning.

The earthquake, which measured 4.3 on the Richter Scale, is thought to have been the most severe tremor to hit the UK since the Dudley earthquake in the West Midlands in 2002.

Initial indications suggest that approximately 500 houses have suffered damage, with 75 considered to be structurally unsafe.

Commented Russell Crewe, Director of Operations at AMG, "We were made aware of the earthquake shortly after it occurred on Saturday morning and began to receive instructions from Insurers within an hour. Adjusters from our Specialist Adjusting Unit were immediately despatched to the scene and worked throughout the weekend, carrying out immediate damage assessment, liaising with the Emergency Services and arranging urgent alternative accommodation for those Policyholders whose homes are so badly damaged that they are considered unsafe to re-occupy.

Our Countrywide Ashton Lane Surveyors have already been retained on several claims and we have several QCRN contractors on stand by to deal with the required repairs. Early indications suggest that a small number of properties may have been so badly damaged that there will be no alternative but to demolish and re-build, but the vast majority of properties have suffered relatively minor damage typically involving loss of tiles and chimney pots.

We will of course be undertaking detailed checks to ensure that the full extent of damage is properly identified and the most appropriate repair remedy implemented and we will work closely with Insurers and their affected Customers to get remedial work under way at the earliest opportunity and to minimise the disruption to their lives as much as we possibly can.

We are also assisting Insurers by quickly contacting Customers living in the affected postcodes to make sure they are OK and that they do not require assistance.

Both AMG and Carr Greenwood Smith have received good support from Insurer Clients and Adjuster teams from both Companies remain on standby to respond quickly to any further requests for assistance"

Issued for and on behalf of :-

AMG
Stratton Court
Bromborough
Wirral
CH62 3PW

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