Weather & storm damage insurance cover

Weather and storm damage

Stormy weather is a feature of UK winters, with gales causing around £300 million worth of damage each year, according to the Met Office.

With storms like Ciara, Dennis and Jorge hitting the UK and costing millions in flood and wind damage, it's good to know what storm damage you’re covered for. It may not be as straightforward as you think.

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What is storm and weather damage insurance?

Most standard home insurance policies offer some level of storm and weather cover, but there are a few exclusions to be aware of.

Fences, hedges and gates aren’t typically covered against bad weather, for example. Accidental damage isn’t usually covered, either. Exclusions will vary though, so check your policy wording carefully to see exactly what is and isn’t covered.

It’s also worth noting that it can be tricky to prove that damage was caused by a storm. That’s because storms have an official definition when it comes to insurance. You might consider high winds and heavy rainfall to be stormy conditions, but your insurance provider may not agree. Some providers will use local weather-terminal data to assess the weather conditions at the time your home was damaged.

The Beaufort Scale states that “light structural damage”, such as tiles being blown from your roof, could occur at 47+ mph winds. But many insurance providers won’t consider it a storm unless winds reach 55+ mph. At this point, substantial structural damage is possible, according to the Beaufort Scale.

Occasionally, the Financial Ombudsman may be called upon to intervene where there’s an unresolvable claim dispute with your insurer.

What do I need to make an insurance claim?

Try to keep your insurance policy details handy. It’s important to contact your insurance provider as soon as you notice any damage. Most providers have a 24-hour helpline for emergencies. But you may only be entitled to use this if you have home emergency cover.

Avoid moving anything or clearing up before you’ve taken photos of the damage to support your insurance claim. Where the damage is extensive, your home insurance provider will likely send someone out to assess the situation.

It’s helpful to have receipts or proof of purchase – a credit card statement, for example - for damaged items you wish to claim for. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t, but having them tends to make the process easier.

What if I need to carry out emergency repairs?

If anything needs to be fixed urgently, you might not be able to wait for your insurance provider to arrange a repair. In this case, you’ll need to hire a professional to tackle the problem. Make sure you keep the receipt, to claim the cost back from your insurance provider at a later date.

Remember, it’s never worth cutting corners to find a cheaper tradesman. Any repair work that puts your home at further risk could end up costing you more in the long run.