Am I insured to drive during a red weather warning? All your motoring questions answered as Storm Eowyn brings record-breaking 114mph gusts

Motorists could be hit with huge bills if they have an accident driving today in Storm Eowyn's hurricane-force winds.

As record-breaking 114mph gusts hit parts of the British Isles, there are warnings insurers might refuse to pay out on claims if they can prove negligence.

This could include drivers going on a road they have been advised not to or failing to take reasonable measures to ensure safety.

It comes as motorists have been told 'don't drive unless you need to' and millions have been sent a phone alert warning of the 'extreme and real risk to life'.

Travelling during a red weather warning does not automatically invalidate a policy but insurers say road users must be responsible and take all necessary precautions.

A spokesman for the AA said: 'Yes, you can drive during any weather warning, be it red, amber or yellow.

But the aim is to make you aware of the risks and their likelihood so that you can plan ahead.

'Your insurance provider won't invalidate your policy just because you had to drive in heavy snow or strong winds.

If your car is taxed, has a valid MOT and is insured, you're legal for being on the road.'

Advice issued by the company includes going 'slow and steady', avoiding country roads, and getting 'kitted up'.

A road sign displaying a red weather warning for Friday on Calder Road, Edinburgh

A rare red weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Storm Eowyn, warning of gusts of up to 100mph and 'flying debris resulting in danger to life'

The Road Safety Authority added: 'Avoid unnecessary travel when [the red warning] passes due to the extremely strong winds which will result in fallen trees and power lines, destruction to property, flying debris, and road blockages.'

But Nick Millerchip, driving expert at the campervan conversion specialist Van Junkies, has warned drivers should check the type of insurance policy they have, suggesting third-party protection may not cover storm damage.

He said: 'With the increased insurance prices, many motorists are switching to lower-tier insurance policies to save money.

'While third-party cover might reduce premiums in the short term, it leaves drivers exposed to significant financial losses if their vehicle is damaged in a storm.'

It comes as the - typically cheaper - insurance policy will often not pay out if a driver makes a claim to cover the repair costs of their own vehicle, including if damage is caused by debris from bad weather.

Chief Executive of Insurance Ireland, Moyagh Murdock, said: 'It is very important that people put safety first and heed the warnings regarding Storm Eowyn.

'Our strong advice is that you don't put yourself and emergency services personnel in unnecessary danger by driving during a red warning.

'In the event that your home or car is damaged, your insurer will be on standby to assist, and our advice is to contact them as quickly as possible.'

Trees have been blown down in Kerry during Storm Eowyn

Forecasted path and wind strength of Storm Eowyn at 5am today

BREAKING NEWS 'Exceptional' red-warning Storm Eowyn brings 'extreme' threat to life: Hurricane-force 114mph winds

The warning follows wind readings that show southern and western Ireland bearing the early brunt of one of the strongest storms to ever hit the Isles.

Mace Head on the exposed Galway coast recorded a gust of 114mph this morning, the strongest ever recorded in Ireland.

Figures of more than 80mph are appearing widely with Aberdaron in Gwynedd hitting 93mph and 70mph recorded in Cumbria.

But gusts of 80 to 90mph are expected widely inland in the warning areas, with speeds of up 100mph likely to rip along coasts as the storm progresses.

National Highways reported the A66 between the A1M in North Yorkshire and M6 in Cumbria, as well as the A628 Woodhead Pass in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, were both closed overnight due to the strong winds.

The M48 Severn Bridge was also closed, while the Tamar Bridge on the A38 between Devon and Cornwall was shut to high-sided vehicles until 5am.

Meanwhile, local roads in Avon and Somerset were blocked due to fallen trees, with motorists advised to 'take care when travelling'.

RAC Breakdown has advised drivers in warning areas to stay safe by parking away from trees, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, avoid coastal routes and watch out for debris.

Red warnings for wind have been issued by the Met Office in Northern Ireland from 7am until 2pm on Friday, and for western and central areas of Scotland between 10am and 5pm.

The alerts are extremely rare, with the last one imposed on Scotland almost exactly a year ago.

The Met Office issued the alert on January 22, 2024, during Storm Isha, although it only covered part of the North-East.

Before that, the last such alert was for Storm Eunice in February 2022.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gunderson said: 'We reserve the issuing of red warnings for the most severe weather which represent a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Eowyn.'

In a statement at the Scottish Parliament, First Minister John Swinney added: 'The storm could bring winds up to 100mph.

'The Met Office advice is clear, the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property and transport and power disruptions.

'We have to be clear, people should not travel.

'Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously and stay safe.'