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Post updated: November 28th, 2024
Storm and wind damage are usually covered by home buildings and contents insurance. So if your home suffers storm and wind damage, your insurer should cover the cost of the repairs and usually provide you with a safe place to stay while your home is being repaired.
However, there are usually exclusions. For example, damage to fences and gates is usually excluded, as well as damage caused as a result of wear and tear or negligence. And insurers are known to dispute what constitutes a storm – read on for more on this.
Your home insurance will typically cover the following issues caused by wind, rain, snow, ice or hail:
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It can be difficult to prove storm damage because insurers use an official definition of a storm. According to the Association of British Insurers, a storm is a period of violent weather defined as:
This definition may be in your policy documents or your insurer may apply its own rules.
If your home has been damaged during a storm, contact your insurer ASAP. The majority of insurers have 24 hour helplines you can use in an emergency.
And as soon as it’s safe to do so, give your home a full inspection and list all the damage. Take photos and videos of the damage. And don’t start throwing things away even if they’re damaged. Keep everything you can in case you need to show your insurer evidence.
If you need repairs carrying out urgently, when you speak to your insurer you may find out it has emergency repair teams it can send out.
However, if they don’t, your policy may cover getting the work done. But make sure you tell your insurer that this work needs doing, and ensure you get receipts to submit as part of your claim.
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Maintaining your home reduces the chance of your home being damaged in a storm and should also reduce the chance of any claim for storm damage being rejected.
For example:
Storms can cause all sorts of damage to roofs. Dislodged roof tiles are one of the most common forms of damage caused by strong winds. This is a particular risk if tiles are already loose and in older properties. While costs will vary, according to Checkatrade, “The average roof tile replacement cost is £170 for up to five broken tiles, presuming the replacement tiles can be easily sourced and there are no access issues.”
However, there are other factors to consider with roof tiles too. If a tile falls from your roof and damages a neighbour’s property, you may be liable – although they’ll need to show you’re at fault. So if your roof was already in a poor state before the storm they may be able to make a claim against you. While this should be covered by the legal liability part of your home insurance, it’s advisable to ensure your roof remains in a good state of repair.
Yes, most home insurers cover damage caused by falling trees or branches as standard. The exception is usually if the damage is caused during maintenance such as by a tree surgeon.
If a neighbour’s tree falls on your house you’ll usually need to claim on your own insurance. This is because unlike car insurance, where your insurer can recover losses from a third party if you’re not at fault, home insurance only covers the owner’s property.
However, you might be able to make a claim against your neighbour if you can prove your neighbour was negligent. For example if the tree was known to be damaged.
If you’re making a claim on your home insurance because of a neighbour’s tree falling on your home, you’ll need to pay your policy’s excess. You can try to recover the excess from your neighbour through the small claims court but it’s usually best to sort out the issue between yourselves.
If a tree that sits on public land falls on your home you should contact the council. While they may clear the tree away, you’ll need to claim on your own home insurance for any damage. However, similarly, if you feel the damage was caused as a result of the council’s negligence and want to seek financial redress you can make a claim.
If a garden fence or wall has been damaged in the storms, before getting it repaired you should establish who is responsible for it. You can find out if a fence or wall is your responsibility by looking at your deeds. If it’s not clear, then you are reliant on ‘presumptions’ to establish who is responsible. For more on this read our guide Boundary Wall Rules: which fence is mine?
Storm damage is becoming increasingly common; research by Aviva in 2024 found that 22% of UK homes had suffered storm damage in the last 5 years. So check your home insurance policy to see what storm cover it includes.
Also, with customers not being rewarded for brand loyalty, you should always shop around when your policy is up for renewal. Use our handy tool to compare home insurance quotes: you can get quotes from over 50 of the UK’s biggest insurers including M&S Bank, Tesco Bank and Endsleigh.
Compare home insurance quotes from 50+ providers and find the best insurance cover for you today.
Compare Buildings & Contents Home Insurance cover from 50+ biggest insurance brands.
This will depend on a number of factors.
And when it comes to your renewal, you should always shop around anyway. That is the best way to secure the best price. It also means you’ll get the right cover for your needs at the lowest price possible. For information on how to do this read our guide How to get the best home insurance deal
Your electricity distribution company usually has 24 hours to restore your electricity supply if it fails as a result of a storm. If your power supply isn’t restored by this deadline, your energy firm should pay you £70. An additional £70 should be paid for each additional 12 hours without power. This is usually capped at £700.
You will normally need to make the claim with your energy supplier within three months of the problem being rectified. For more information on claiming and more read our guide what to do in a powercut.
March 25, 2025 
