INSURANCE GUIDE
Storm Damage and Roof Insurance UK
What home insurance covers for storm and wind damage, what is excluded, and how the claims process works.
TL;DR
- Storm damage is covered under standard buildings insurance but the definition of storm varies between insurers.
- Pre-existing poor maintenance is commonly cited to reduce or reject storm damage claims.
- Damage to fences, gates, and outbuildings may be sub-limited or excluded in some policies.
- Gradual weather deterioration is not covered - only sudden damage from a defined storm event.
What Storm Damage Cover Includes
Standard home buildings insurance covers damage to the structure of your property caused by storms, high winds, hail, and lightning. Covered events include: roof tiles blown off by high winds; a chimney stack toppled by a storm; fallen trees or branches damaging the roof or structure; rainwater ingress through storm-damaged roof sections; and flood damage caused by overwhelming rainfall. Contents insurance covers personal property within the home damaged by the storm ingress.
What Storm Damage Policies Exclude
Insurers exclude storm damage claims arising from: gradual deterioration of the roof or structure that made it vulnerable to weather damage; damage to poorly maintained properties where existing defects contributed to the damage; damage to external gates, hedges, and fences (often sub-limited or excluded entirely); and damage from gradual seepage of rainwater over time. The distinction between sudden storm damage and gradual weather-related deterioration is frequently the subject of claim disputes.
Proving the Storm Event
When making a storm damage claim, the insurer will typically ask for evidence that a storm occurred at the property's location on or around the date of the damage. Met Office weather records are the standard reference. Winds above approximately 50-55 mph (force 10 Beaufort scale) are typically classified as storm conditions by insurers, though the threshold varies. Keep records of the date you discovered the damage and any Met Office data showing local weather conditions.
Emergency Repairs After Storm Damage
After storm damage, temporary emergency repairs are usually necessary to prevent further damage - tarping a damaged roof, boarding a broken window. Most buildings insurance policies encourage emergency repairs and will cover their reasonable cost as part of the claim. Keep receipts for all emergency repair expenditure. Do not undertake permanent repairs before the insurer's loss adjuster has inspected, as this may complicate the assessment of the original damage.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Kaeltripton.com is not regulated by the FCA. Always read policy documents in full before purchasing cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does home insurance cover fence damage from a storm?
Fence damage from a storm is commonly excluded from standard home buildings insurance or is covered only up to a low sub-limit. Some policies explicitly exclude gates, fences, and hedges from storm cover while covering the main structure of the house. Check your policy schedule specifically for the fence cover position before assuming a storm-damaged fence will be covered.
My roof was old - will the insurer still pay for storm damage?
Insurers can reduce a storm damage claim if they assess that the roof was already in poor condition and the storm merely accelerated inevitable failure. If a structural survey or loss adjuster inspection indicates that the roof was beyond its useful life, the insurer may argue that the damage was not caused solely by the storm. Maintaining your roof in reasonable condition and having documented evidence of maintenance helps support a storm damage claim on an older property.
