Most rejected roof claims fail on the same two words: wear and tear. Here is how cover works and how to give your claim the best chance.
Insurers generally define a storm by wind speed, commonly gusts around 47 to 55 miles per hour, or by exceptional rain, hail or snow. If the weather on the day does not meet the definition, the claim fails regardless of the damage.
Met Office data for your area on the date is what the insurer will check, so note the date and time the damage happened rather than the date you noticed it.
What is covered and what is not
Covered: tiles stripped by wind, a stack blown over, impact damage from a fallen tree or branch, and the internal water damage that follows a sudden storm event.
Not covered: gradual deterioration, perished felt, corroded nails, failed mortar, moss damage and anything the insurer can class as maintenance. A roof already in poor condition will usually see a claim reduced or refused because the storm merely finished off what age had started.
Evidence to gather immediately
Photograph the damage from ground level and from inside the loft, keep any tiles or debris that came down, and record the date and weather. Photographs of the roof before the storm, even old holiday snaps of the house, are surprisingly persuasive.
Get a written roofer's report describing the damage as storm related and setting out the repair. Insurers weigh a trade report far more heavily than a homeowner's description.
Temporary works and the claim
Policies expect you to prevent further damage, so emergency covering is usually allowed and recoverable. Keep the invoice and photographs of the temporary work in place.
Do not have permanent repairs done before the insurer has either inspected or agreed in writing to proceed on your evidence, because that removes their ability to verify and gives them grounds to dispute.
Will claiming push my premium up?
Often yes at renewal, so for smaller repairs it is worth comparing the excess and likely premium impact against simply paying for the work.
Can I use my own roofer or must I use the insurer's?
Most policies allow your own contractor, though the insurer may cap the amount to their own approved rates. Ask before instructing anyone.
What if the insurer says the roof was already worn?
Challenge it with a detailed trade report separating storm damage from pre existing condition. Partial settlements are common where both are present.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Policies expect prompt notification, usually within days. Delay is one of the most common reasons a valid claim is reduced.
Does insurance cover a whole new roof after a storm?
Only where the storm genuinely destroyed the covering. Where a proportion is damaged, insurers typically fund a like for like repair to that area rather than a full replacement.
Evans Roofing & Maintenance Ltd, Witney, Oxfordshire. Call 07960 482233 for a free written quote.