Stormy weather preparations

Help and advice for your home.

Safety advice

This is general advice about how to maintain your property. It's not a reflection of the cover we provide. If you are an existing customer looking to understand your policy, you can view your policy documents online.

 

Quick checklist

  • Assemble an emergency kit with essentials like a torch, batteries and warm clothes.
  • Make sure your guttering is firmly fixed and unblocked.
  • Inspect the seals around your windows and doors.
  • Check that your fences and gates are secure and sturdy.  Storm damage to these items are not covered.
  • Store anything that could blow away, things like trampolines, outdoor furniture and parasols. We don’t cover objects left out in a storm. 

Let's look at the detail

  • Keep up to date

    Before a severe storm, the Met Office usually gives three or four days’ advance warning. For local information you can add your postcode to their live weather feed.

    Get one step ahead

    Give your home a check-over, from top to bottom.

    • Roof, check for loose or broken tiles. These could be blown off and injure both people and property.
    • Guttering, is it securely fitted? If the wind gets under it, it could completely detach itself. If it’s blocked, then it could cause water damage to your property.
    • Windows and doors, check the seals around external doors, to guard against drafts blowing them open or rain seeping in.
    • Fences and gates, make sure gates are firmly closed, and locked if possible. Check for any unstable fence posts that could give way in the wind.
    • Gazebos, garden furniture and barbecues, try to secure them, or if possible, move into a shed or a garage as contents in the open are excluded for damage caused by a storm.
    • Bins, large plant pots, try to move them to sheltered areas or away from your property, they may blow around into windows or into parked vehicles.
    Top tip 

    Building and roofing companies may be busy after a storm so it could be beneficial for you to get any problems fixed ahead of bad weather – saving yourself hassle later.

    Prepare the essentials

    • Put some basics on standby, candles and matches, a torch (and spare batteries), tinned food, warm clothing and blankets.
    • Prepare a list of local builders, roofers, heating engineers and electricians, plus your utility companies.
    • Have important documents to hand, like your home insurance policy number. You could put our claims line number in your mobile to save time.

  • The best guidance is to stay inside, with windows and doors closed and secure. There's nothing else you can do, except wait for it to blow over. You could keep the items on your emergency checklist close to hand.

    Important, if there’s a risk of flooding, turn off both electricity and gas. For your safety, don't touch the electricity supply if you’re standing in water.

  • If your home has been damaged, you'll probably want to start clearing up. But if you're registering a claim, please make a note of the following – to help support your claim.

    • Please don’t throw away any damaged items until we say so.
    • Roll up your damaged carpets and store them in a shed or garage.
    • Start to make a list and take photos of your damaged items.

    You could leave windows and doors open to help dry your property, but please make sure that it’s safe to do so.

  • For further help and advice.

  • Weather zone home

    Ice and snow

    Flood

Storm claims FAQs

  • A storm is winds exceeding 55 mph, and/or hail or snow powerful enough to break glass or damage hard surfaces.

    Heavy rain alone isn’t a storm. But if 25mm or more falls in a day and causes internal damage, we may consider your claim, Especially if you didn’t know about external damage.

    For every storm claim, we’ll check local weather conditions using trusted data providers.

    We don't cover wear and tear, and we won't accept claims if the weather doesn’t meet these thresholds.

  • Storms aren’t always easy to spot, especially when they’re local and weather stations miss them. We’ll review evidence to see if a storm took place and whether the damage to your property happened because of the storm.

    When necessary, we’ll arrange a visit to check the damage in person and work out the cause.

  • Wear and tear is the slow deterioration that happens as your home ages. Rusty nails can loosen roof tiles, cracks can appear near chimneys and older flat roofs may sag or split. Your insurance doesn't cover this type of damage.

    Why is it important during storms?

    A storm can highlight existing weaknesses instead of causing new damage. We assess whether the storm created the problem or exposed an issue that already needed fixing. Regular maintenance helps your home cope with harsh weather.

    Why doesn’t insurance cover wear and tear?

    Insurance is designed for sudden, unexpected damage, not everyday repairs. Keep your home in good condition to ensure better protection and fewer surprises when bad weather hits.

  • Protect your home against severe weather by maintaining your property regularly. Keeping your home in good condition reduces the risk of damage and ensures compliance with cover terms.

    Roof and structural checks

    • Secure loose or damaged roof tiles.
    • Repair flashing, pointing and seals on windows.
    • Clear gutters and drains to prevent water build-up.

    Arrange a professional inspection for your roof. Experts can identify moss build-up, missing pointing and gaps between tiles. These are all early indicators of deterioration.

    Understand your roof type

    Pitched roofs typically outlast flat roofs. Flat felt roofs require maintenance or renewal every 10 to 15 years, depending on material quality.

    Interior and exterior checks

    • Internally, inspect for visible light in the loft, torn under-felt, and damp patches near openings.
    • Externally, remove loose or overhanging branches. If the trees don't belong to you, contact the owner.

    Important

    Insurance doesn't cover storm damage to fences, hedges and gates are excluded from insurance policies. 

  • No, insurance does not cover damage to gates or fences caused by storms.

    How to protect your fence from wind damage

    • Inspect and repair. Check for loose panels, posts, or signs of rot, especially at the base of wooden posts.
    • Reinforce and replace. Tighten fixings, replace damaged panels, and reinforce posts. Replace any sections showing rot or heavy wear straightaway.
    • Choose durable materials. Use wind-resistant panels like trellis or slats to let air pass through. Choose concrete posts for added stability.
    • Clear surroundings. Remove debris, overhanging branches, and items leaning against the fence to reduce strain during high winds.

  • No. Weather warnings and named storms don’t automatically mean you can claim on home insurance. These alerts focus on how weather affects people, not buildings. They can also be very local, 2 warnings at the same time may affect different parts of the country.

    Sign up for Met Office weather warnings and check local updates for details on named storms.

  • Most frozen food stays safe for up to 12 hours if you keep the freezer door closed. If the power outage lasts longer, check with your electricity provider, they may offer compensation.

    If your freezer food has spoiled, take clear photos before throwing it away. Keep any messages or notifications from the power company about the outage. These will support your claim.

Home insurance support

If you need support or to make a claim, get in touch.

 

Customer story

Following a terrifying storm that damaged her home, Mrs Jones and her family had to leave straight away for their safety. So, she contacted her home insurance for help. 

Watch our short video to see how home insurance helped Mrs Jones after a storm damaged her home (1 minute, 8 seconds).

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