The UK is likely to experience more frequent and expensive windstorms due to climate change, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) warns.

Average annual insurance losses from wind could increase 11% with a 1.5-degree temperature gain, while losses could jump 23% at three degrees. A temperature rise of 4.5 degrees could cause losses to escalate 25% according to research by modeller AIR Worldwide for the ABI.

“Concerns about global warming often focus on rising water levels and the threat of flooding, but this new research makes it clear the impact of other meteorological events such as high winds must not be overlooked,” ABI Head of Strategy Matt Cullen said.

Met Office analysis shows even small increases in temperature would likely shift stronger winds further north, with increased losses from climate change concentrated in Northern Ireland, northern England and the Midlands of England.

“Planners and builders should be aware of the need for more wind-resistant construction in specific areas of the country if claims are to be kept to a minimum and residents spared the distress and expense of higher levels of wind damage,” Mr Cullen said.

Southern England could see fewer losses from storms, with London losses sliding 16% at the 1.5-degree end of the range.

The worst windstorm to hit the UK in recent years was on January 25 1990, in which 47 people died. The insurance industry paid out £2.1 billion in claims, which would be more than £4 billion ($5.3 billion) today.

The ABI says floods and windstorms result in similar claims costs over the long term, with wind damage affecting more people less severely.