Our homes are our happy place, and we know protecting them is important to you. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about storm damage and our home insurance policies to help you get the peace of mind you deserve.
What to do in the immediate event of a storm
Stay at home
It's safest to stay inside and wait for the storm to pass
Turn off the power
If there's a flood risk and no standing water, turn off your electricity and gas
Don't fix anything
While the storm is still going, don't repair any damage outside
What to check after a storm
Once the storm has passed and only if it’s safe to do so, you could check:
Your roof
Stand back to check your roof and make a note of any visible problems, like missing or damaged tiles. Check the flashing (the flat, thin piece of metal) too.
Watch our video on how to check for roof damage.
Don't forget, wear and tear damage isn't covered by most home insurance policies! But this doesn't mean you can't get your roof fixed and looking its best again.
If you're not keen on taking the lead with repairs, you can find someone to help sort your roof on Checkatrade.
How Checkatrade can help
Checkatrade's roof surveys
If you want to make sure your roof's in good shape for the winter, Checkatrade's drone roof surveys could help.
It's simple - they fly a drone over your house and take pictures of your roof to see if they can spot any damage.
They'll then let you know if there's anything that needs monitoring or fixing.
That means you have the chance to get ahead of any weak spots or things that could be made worse if a storm hits.
You'll also get a grade for your roof's condition, from poor to excellent.
Need professional repairs done? You can then use Checkatrade to find the right person for the job.
Please note that references or links to any third-party services, products, or websites are provided for your ease and informational purposes only.
Any interaction you have with third party providers is solely at your own risk. We neither endorse nor accept any liability for any content, products, or services offered by third parties.
Your guttering
Loose tiles or debris from the roof could slip into the gutters and cause a blockage.
Any moss or leaves in your guttering will be prone to freezing, so clear them out. We have a four-step guide to gutter clearing.
Your windows
Strong winds could have caused branches to bang against windows and cause cracks, while heavy rain may have leaked through, highlighting weak spots.
Your garden
Look around for any damage, like broken furniture. Make a note of it and clear out any debris if it’s safe to do so.
Unfortunately, we can't cover you for anything that was previously damaged before the storm.
Make sure your shed is secure too. Learn more about looking after your garden shed.
Am I covered for storm damage?
It depends. Damage caused by normal weather or wear and tear isn’t covered. We define a storm that can cause damage to well-maintained homes as:
Wind with gusts of at least 55mph |
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Heavy rainfall at a rate of at least 25mm per hour |
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Snow to a depth of at least 30cm in 24 hours |
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Hail that causes damage to hard surfaces or breaks glass |
What we cover
Under storm conditions, your home insurance policy covers:
- wind damage
- water damage
- damage caused by snow or hail
During cold weather, you’re also covered for frozen pipes inside your home.
What we don't cover
- gates, fences or hedges
- damage caused by wear and tear
- unfinished alterations or extensions
For full details of what we do and don't cover read your Home Insurance Policy Booklet.
How to claim on your home insurance
The first part of any claim isn't covered. This is known as “excess”.
Check your policy documents
Find out whether you're covered and what your excess is
Gather your evidence
We need to know what caused the damage and when
Register your claim
You can make your storm damage claim in MyAccount
Policy documents
You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. You can download it for free from the Adobe website.
Preparing your home for a storm
How to storm-proof your home
To avoid last-minute panics and potentially invalidating your home insurance, read our guide on storm-proofing your home.
Preparing for a storm
Weather warnings explained
We discuss what the Met Office’s red, amber and yellow UK weather warnings mean, and how they affect you.
Read our weather guide
How to check your roof for damage
Learn how to look out for cracked tiles, lifting lead, and unsecure materials with out video guide.
Watch our roof guide