A DRIVER says his car insurance has gone up by £3,000 after a financial wrangle with a housing organisation.

David McGrath has been quoted £4,500 to reinsure his Ford Puma after he was left to pay the bill for damage caused by a roof that was ripped off garages during a storm.

The garages are administered by Erimus Housing, the not-for-profit housing organisation responsible for the management of Middlesbrough's Council housing stock. The organisation's insurer said the accident was an act of God.

The decision meant Mr McGrath, of Midville Walk, Netherfields, Middlesbrough, had to ask his insurance company to pay the £3,000 repair bill. Mr McGrath, 22, said: "No one seems to be able to help me.

"I cannot understand why I am in this situation. I have done nothing wrong, yet it is going to cost me a lot of money."

He has been quoted £4,500 to reinsure his car, a rise of more than £3,000, and has lost his no-claims bonus.

Erimus' director of corporate services, Brenda Kirby, said she sympathised with Mr McGrath, but said the company was tied by the insurance policy.

She said: "Unfortunately, Mr McGrath will not be alone in this situation. It was an act of God, and we are not covered for that.

"He needs to contact his own insurance because he will not be covered by ours. I would suggest he writes to us and we can see if there is anything we can do to help

"Unfortunately, we are not responsible and not liable for the damage."