The hailstorm last January resulted in a staggering €3.63 million worth of claims, €3.07m of which was for damage sustained by vehicles, according to the Malta Insurance Association.

The amount is a far cry from the preliminary estimates of €400,000-€500,000 given by the insurance industry at the time.

MIA president Matthew von Brockdorff said that a total of 1,787 claims were submitted, 84.5 per cent of which were for vehicles, but there were also claims pertaining to properties and boats.

Hailstones the size of golf balls were reported to have fallen in certain localities when the storm hit the north and east of the island on January 15.