Whatever the weather – we've got your back
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.
Preparing for a storm
If a storm is brewing, make sure you're ready for it. Take a look at our guides to protecting your home and garden in stormy weather.
Preparing your home for a storm
From securing furniture to clearing gutters, prep your home for any storm forecasts.
Prepare your home
Tips to prevent storm damage to your fencing
Read our tips on how to give your fence a better chance of withstanding a storm.
Prep your fence
How to storm proof your garden
Ride out the storm with our tips for protecting your garden.
Protect your gardenWhat 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.
How to calm your pet in a storm
Storms can be really stressful for our four-legged friends – especially if they're scared of thunder and lightning. Check out our top tips on how to keep your pets calm in stormy weather.
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 note if there are any visible problems like missing tiles or damaged flashing (the flat, thin pieces of metal). Watch our video on how to check your roof for 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
What we don't cover
How to claim on your home insurance
Remember, with any storm claim you'll need to pay excess. This is a set amount of money you need to pay towards your claim.
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.
Breaking down your policy
Figuring out what storm damage your policy covers can be a headache. Our helpful guides break it down clearly – so you know what is and isn't covered.
Does car insurance cover storm damage?
It’s not just your home that’s at risk. Find out what you’re covered for if your car is damaged by a storm.
Check your cover
Who is responsible for storm damage to rental property?
Storms can cause a lot of damage to our homes. But when it's a rental property, who’s responsible for repairs and costs?
Find out more
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 guideNeed more?
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.