Will your insurance cover Storm Eunice damage and how do you claim?
Storm Eunice has been forecast to be the worst storm to hit the UK for more than 30 years. Schools and businesses have been closed, and householders have been warned to batten down the hatches. But what happens if it damages your property?
Buildings insurance policies usually state that they will cover financial loss caused by storm damage – but companies have been known to argue over what constitutes a storm. Last year Guardian Money dealt with a case where an insurer refused to pay to repair a leaking roof damaged during Storm Christoph. The Financial Ombudsman says these type of disputes are among the main complaints it gets about unpaid storm damage claims.
The Association of British Insurers says a storm is a period of violent weather defined as:
Wind speeds with gusts of at least 48 knots (55mph) – equivalent to 10 on the Beaufort scale or;
Torrential rainfall at a rate of at least 25mm an hour or;
Snow to a depth of at least one foot (30 cm) in 24 hours or;
Hail of such intensity that it causes damage to hard surfaces or breaks glass.
Your insurer may have this definition in its policy or may apply its own rules. If the weather in your area does not meet the criteria, it will turn down your claim.
As soon as you can, you need to tell your insurer that your property has been damaged and you want to make a claim. Most insurers have 24-hour helplines and they should be geared up to deal with the fallout from the storm, as forecasters have been talking about it for days.
Speak to the insurer before arranging urgent repairs or somewhere to stay.
It may have emergency repair teams to send out but, if not, your policy may cover getting the work done. Tell your insurer that this work needs doing, and make sure you get receipts to
Read more on theguardian.com
