Hailstorm repairs to cost over €400,000

Cars bore the brunt of last week’s freak hailstorm, according to one of Malta’s biggest insurance companies. Gasan Mamo Insurance said that as of Monday afternoon it had received more than 300 claims on cars damaged by hail. “It is too early to determine the final cost but it is expected to exceed €400,000,” Francis Valletta, general manager of Gasan Mamo’s Motor Division, said. Hailstones the size of tennis balls were reported to have fallen in certain localities when the storm hit the north and east of the island at around midday on January 15. Gasan Mamo received claims for vehicles damaged in Mosta, Naxxar, Burmarrad, Pembroke, Madliena, Għargħur and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, which were the worst hit areas. Other insurance firms contacted said it was still too early to calculate the cost. The Times visited the damaged cars of a mother and daughter in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. Laura Mallia, 37, made an insurance claim after her Fiat took a pounding, causing dents all over. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the extent of the damage,” she said. Her 67-year-old mother also filed a claim for damage to her Toyota. They are now waiting for a surveyor to calculate the cost of the damage. Mr ...