Home Insurance and Storm or Flood Damage: What Is Covered

Does home insurance cover storm and flood damage?

For most households the answer is yes. Damage caused by storms and flooding is covered by most standard home insurance policies, and by comprehensive motor insurance for vehicles. Home cover is usually split into two parts. Buildings insurance covers the structure of the property, including the roof, walls, windows and permanent fixtures, so it pays for structural repairs after storm or flood damage. Contents insurance covers moveable belongings such as furniture, electricals and clothing, so it pays to repair or replace possessions damaged by water or wind. Many people hold a combined buildings and contents policy, but those who rent usually need only contents cover, as the landlord insures the building. The scale of weather claims is significant: the Association of British Insurers reported that UK insurers paid £758 million for weather damage to homes and possessions in 2025, part of £1.2 billion in weather-related property claims across the year. Because cover, limits, excesses and exclusions differ between insurers, the starting point for any claim is the policy wording, which sets out exactly what is and is not included and the excess that applies before the insurer pays out.

How do insurers define a storm?

For a storm claim, an insurer first needs to confirm that the weather was severe enough to cause the damage to a property that was otherwise well maintained. The Association of British Insurers describes a storm as a period of violent weather, which can involve strong winds and gales, torrential rain, or heavy snow. Insurers typically check recorded wind speeds and local weather conditions at the time to verify a claim, and some policies specify the conditions that must be met, which are set out in the policy documents. This matters because damage that builds up gradually, or results from a lack of maintenance, is not treated as storm damage. Insurers do not cover wear and tear or loss arising from it, so a roof that fails because tiles were already loose may not be covered in the same way as one damaged by an exceptional gust. Keeping a property in good repair is therefore not only sensible but part of keeping cover valid. Simple maintenance, such as clearing gutters, checking roof tiles and securing loose items, reduces the risk of damage and supports a claim if severe weather does strike. Where a claim is genuine and the property was maintained, insurers will assess the damage and arrange repairs or a settlement.

What is not covered: exclusions and maintenance

Standard policies contain exclusions that catch many homeowners by surprise after a storm. Gates and fences are among the most common: they are excluded by most standard buildings insurance policies because they are exposed, often not well maintained and very prone to being blown down, and covering them would raise the cost of insurance for everyone. Gradual damage, wear and tear, and damage caused by a failure to maintain the property are also excluded, because insurance is designed to cover sudden and unforeseen events rather than general upkeep. Another risk is underinsurance, where the sum insured is too low to cover the full cost of rebuilding or replacing contents, which can reduce a payout. Most policies also carry an excess, the amount the policyholder pays towards each claim, and some add a separate, higher excess for flood or subsidence claims. Optional add-ons such as home emergency cover can help with urgent problems, for example paying for emergency repairs to a roof that has lost tiles in a storm, but these are extras rather than part of standard cover. Reading the schedule and policy booklet before severe weather arrives is the best way to know where the gaps are and whether additional cover is worth buying.

Flood damage compared with escape of water

Flooding and escape of water are not the same thing, and policies usually treat them differently. Flooding means water entering the property from outside, such as from a river, the sea, surface water after heavy rain, or a sewer or drain overflowing. Escape of water means a leak from inside the property, for example a burst pipe or a leaking appliance, and is usually covered as a standard feature of buildings insurance. The distinction can affect how a claim is handled, the excess that applies and what evidence is needed. Flood damage can be extensive and is rarely limited to what is visible, because water can affect subfloors, wall cavities and insulation, and drying out a property can take weeks. The cost is reflected in the figures: the Association of British Insurers reported that domestic flood claims cost £312 million in 2025, up 38% on the previous year, with the average payout to a flooded homeowner reaching £30,000. For households in flood-risk areas, Flood Re, a scheme backed by the government and the insurance industry, helps make flood cover more available and affordable, although it does not apply to homes built after January 2009. Repairs may also allow a home to be made more flood resilient through the Build Back Better scheme.

How to make a storm or flood insurance claim

The first priority in any severe weather event is safety, including checking whether it is safe to use electricity, gas and water. Once it is safe, contact the insurer as soon as possible, as many operate emergency helplines and can arrange urgent repairs and temporary accommodation where needed. Before clearing up, take photographs or video of the damage, as this forms part of the claim. Keep receipts for any emergency repairs arranged directly, and do not throw away damaged items unless they are a danger to health, because they may be able to be repaired or restored and the insurer may want to inspect them. The insurer may send a loss adjuster to assess larger claims and agree the cost of repairs or replacement. Keeping a record of conversations, reference numbers and any costs makes the process smoother. It also helps to have the insurer's contact details, and emergency numbers for utility providers and the local authority, to hand before a storm arrives. Following warnings from the Met Office and the Environment Agency, and taking simple precautions such as storing loose garden items, can reduce the damage and the size of a claim in the first place.

What to do if your claim is disputed

Most weather claims are settled without difficulty, but disputes do happen, often over whether damage was caused by a storm or by gradual wear, or over the size of a settlement. If a claim is rejected or the offer seems too low, the first step is to complain to the insurer in writing and ask for the reasons in full, referring to the relevant sections of the policy. Insurers have up to eight weeks to resolve a complaint. If it is not resolved, or the response is unsatisfactory, the case can be taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free to use and independent, and can direct an insurer to pay a claim or increase a settlement where it finds the complaint is justified. Keeping evidence, including photographs, weather reports, the policy documents and a record of all contact with the insurer, strengthens a case at every stage. Acting promptly matters, as there are time limits for referring a complaint to the ombudsman.

For more on protecting your home and cutting household costs, see the Home insurance, Property and Bills and household costs sections, or the Before You checklists.

Frequently asked questions

Does home insurance cover storm damage?

Yes, most standard home insurance covers storm damage. Buildings cover pays for structural repairs and contents cover pays for damaged belongings, provided the property was well maintained and the weather was severe enough to meet the policy terms.

What counts as a storm for an insurance claim?

The ABI describes a storm as a period of violent weather, which can include strong winds and gales, torrential rain or heavy snow. Insurers usually check recorded wind speeds and local conditions to confirm a claim.

Is flood damage covered by home insurance?

Flood damage is covered by most standard buildings and contents policies, though excesses and limits vary. Flood Re helps make cover more affordable for eligible homes in flood-risk areas, but not for homes built after January 2009.

Are fences and gates covered for storm damage?

Usually not. Gates and fences are excluded by most standard buildings policies because they are exposed and prone to wind damage. Check your policy wording, as cover varies between insurers.

What can I do if my insurer rejects my storm or flood claim?

Complain to the insurer in writing and ask for the reasons. Insurers have up to eight weeks to respond. If it is not resolved, you can take the case to the free, independent Financial Ombudsman Service.