Storm damage is one of the most common reasons UK homeowners find themselves needing urgent roofing work, and it’s also one of the most stressful particularly when it’s unclear whether the damage is covered by insurance, who to call first, and what steps to take. Having been through this process with dozens of customers over the years, we want to give you a clear, practical guide to navigating it calmly.
What Storm Damage Looks Like
The most obvious storm damage is visible: tiles blown off, sections of ridge displaced, satellite dishes brought down through the tile surface. But storm damage can also be subtler. A severe storm can shift tiles slightly without dislodging them completely, compromising the weathertight seal without leaving obvious visible evidence. It can crack tiles that looked fine beforehand, disturb lead flashing at chimney junctions, or block gutters and downpipes with debris in a way that causes immediate water ingress.
After any significant storm, it’s worth inspecting your property from the outside at a safe distance from the ground and checking the loft space for any signs of new moisture. You don’t need to get on the roof yourself; what you’re looking for are the tell-tale signs of new water ingress that weren’t there before.
Understanding Your Insurance Policy
Most standard UK home and contents insurance policies include buildings insurance cover for storm damage. The key word is “storm” insurance companies have a working definition of what constitutes a storm (typically sustained winds of 40mph or above, though this can vary by insurer), and damage from lesser weather events, or damage resulting from wear and tear that made the roof vulnerable, may not be covered.
This last point is important and often a source of frustration for homeowners. If an insurer determines that a roof was already in a deteriorated state and that the storm simply exposed an existing weakness, they may reduce the payout or decline the claim on the basis of “wear and tear.” This is a legitimate position on their part insurance covers damage caused by a sudden event, not the accumulated deterioration of materials over time.
Steps to Take After Storm Damage
Document everything immediately. Before any temporary repairs are carried out, photograph the damage thoroughly from the ground, from windows with views of the roof, and from within the loft space. Time-stamped photographs on a phone are perfectly adequate. This documentation is important for your insurance claim.
Call your insurer before appointing a contractor. Insurers will typically want to send their own surveyor or loss adjuster before authorising repairs. Proceeding with full repairs before the insurer has assessed the damage can complicate your claim. Temporary protective measures such as tarpaulin over exposed sections, for example, are generally fine and recommended to prevent further ingress.
Get an independent quote regardless. Even if your insurer appoints their own preferred contractor, you’re entitled to obtain an independent quote. If the sums differ significantly, it’s worth querying this in writing with your insurer.
Avoiding Storm-Related Scammers
It’s an unfortunate reality that major storm events bring out opportunistic rogue traders who target visibly damaged properties. We mentioned cold-knock traders in our guide on choosing a roofer storm season when this problem is at its peak.
Never allow a cold-knock trader to begin work on your property, no matter how urgent the situation feels. Emergency temporary protection is available from reputable local contractors who will come out quickly without requiring you to make rushed permanent repair decisions. Check reviews, confirm insurance, and get a written scope of work before anything starts.
When Storm Damage Leads to Full Replacement
Sometimes what appears to be localised storm damage, when properly assessed, reveals a roof that was already close to the end of its serviceable life. An insurer may contribute toward the damaged sections while the homeowner decides whether to invest in bringing the rest of the roof up to standard at the same time. This can actually be a good outcome spreading the cost of a necessary replacement across insurance and personal budget, with the disruption and scaffold cost only incurred once.
At Will Fix It Home Improvements, we assist homeowners through the insurance assessment process we can provide detailed written reports and photographic documentation to support claims, and we work at a pace that accommodates the insurer’s assessment process without leaving your home unnecessarily exposed. Find out more about our new roof services here.
Click here to see more: The Complete Guide to Getting a New Roof: Everything UK Homeowners Need to Know