A storm has just hit your property. You need to know what to do right now, what your policy actually covers, and how to make sure your claim is not rejected or undervalued.
This guide covers everything — from the first hour after a storm to final settlement — written specifically for homeowners and landlords in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Do This First: Emergency Steps After Storm Damage
Before you call your insurer, before you read your policy, do this.
- Make the building safe.
Do not climb onto a damaged roof. Do not enter a room with a structural failure overhead. If there are downed power lines or exposed wiring, keep clear and call emergency services. Safety comes first. - Document the damage before you touch anything.
Take photographs and video of every area of damage — the roof, ceilings, walls, floors, and any damaged contents. Do this from multiple angles. Date and time-stamp everything. This evidence underpins your claim.
- Make emergency temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
You are entitled to make temporary repairs immediately. Cover exposed roof sections with a waterproof tarp. Board up broken windows. Clear blocked gutters if safe to do so. Keep every receipt for materials and labour — these costs are recoverable under your policy. - Register the claim with your insurer promptly.
Most policies require you to notify your insurer as soon as reasonably possible after the damage occurs. Delay can give the insurer grounds to complicate your claim. Call their claims line and get a reference number.
- Do not accept the first offer — and do not agree anything with the loss adjuster before you read the section below.
The loss adjuster your insurer sends is not working for you. Before you speak to them in detail, read the section on loss adjusters vs loss assessors further down this page.
Need help now?
Call PCLA on 028 9581 5318. We cover Northern Ireland and Scotland and can advise you at no cost before you commit to anything.
Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage to the Roof?
Yes. Roof damage caused by a qualifying storm is covered under a standard buildings insurance policy in the UK. This includes missing or lifted tiles, damaged slates, structural damage to the roof frame, and subsequent water ingress through a storm-damaged roof.
That said, your insurer’s definition of what constitutes a storm is precise, and policies contain exclusions that catch many claimants off guard. The sections below explain both.
What Counts as a Storm? How Insurers Define It
This is one of the most common disputes in storm damage claims. Your insurer does not use the word “storm” loosely. Most UK policies require the weather event to meet specific thresholds before they accept the claim.
The standard criteria are:
- Wind speeds exceeding 55mph: this is the most commonly applied threshold. If the Met Office or wind records for your area do not confirm wind at or above this level, the insurer may argue the event did not constitute a storm.
- Heavy rainfall exceeding 25mm within one hour: significant for flooding and water ingress claims where roof damage is not the primary issue.
- Hail severe enough to damage hard surfaces or break glass.
- Snowfall of sufficient weight to cause structural damage: relevant particularly in Scotland, where heavy snowfall events are more frequent.
What this means for your claim: Your insurer will check weather records for your area on the date of the damage. If the data does not support storm conditions, they can decline the claim. PCLA maintains storm event records for Northern Ireland and Scotland and can obtain verified meteorological data to support your case.
Weather data from the Met Office, independent providers, or publicly available wind records can be used as evidence. Do not assume this is handled automatically; it often is not.
What Storm Damage Is Covered Under a Buildings Insurance Policy
A standard buildings insurance policy in Northern Ireland and Scotland should cover the following storm-related damage:
Roof damage
Missing, lifted, or broken roof tiles and slates. Structural damage to roof timbers caused by high winds. Emergency temporary repair costs (tarpaulin, boarding, scaffolding access for immediate works).
Water ingress through a storm-damaged structure
If a storm breaches your roof, walls, or windows and rainwater enters the property as a result, the subsequent water damage to ceilings, floors, walls, and fixtures is covered. This is an important distinction — the water damage is covered because the storm caused the point of entry.
Fallen trees and debris
If a tree falls onto your property during a storm, the cost of removing it from the building and repairing the damage is covered. Note that removal costs for a tree that falls without damaging the structure are generally not covered.
Debris impact
Damage caused by flying debris — roof slates from neighbouring properties, broken fencing panels, garden furniture — is treated as storm damage if it can be shown the impact occurred during the storm event.
Alternative accommodation
If the storm renders your home uninhabitable, your insurer should cover reasonable alternative accommodation costs while repairs are carried out. Keep all receipts.
What Is Not Covered
Policies contain exclusions that surprise many claimants. These are the most common:
Fences, gates, and garden walls
Most standard policies explicitly exclude fences, gates, hedges, and garden walls from storm damage cover. This is a blanket exclusion — even if the storm is the direct cause, you are unlikely to recover these costs under a standard buildings policy.
Detached outbuildings and garden structures
Sheds, greenhouses, detached garages, and similar structures are frequently excluded or subject to separate, lower limits. Check your policy schedule carefully.
Pre-existing damage and poor maintenance
This is the insurer’s most commonly used reason for rejecting or reducing a storm claim. If your roof had cracked or missing tiles, deteriorated mortar, or known structural issues before the storm, the insurer will argue the storm did not cause the damage — the existing condition made it inevitable. Regular maintenance records and pre-storm inspection reports significantly strengthen your position.
Gradual deterioration
Damage that has developed over time — rather than resulting suddenly from the storm event — is not covered. Insurers will commission their own surveyor to form a view on this. Their surveyor is not independent.
Coastal corrosion and storm surge
Standard policies generally do not cover saltwater corrosion damage or damage caused by storm surge to coastal properties. Flood risk cover is a separate policy addition.
Emergency Repairs After a Storm: What You Can and Cannot Do
You do not have to wait for the loss adjuster before making emergency repairs. You have a duty to mitigate further damage; meaning you are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent the situation getting worse.
You can:
- Cover exposed roof sections with waterproof sheeting or tarpaulins
- Board up broken windows and doors
- Clear gutters and downpipes of storm debris
- Move salvageable contents away from water-damaged areas
- Arrange emergency plumber or roofer attendance for urgent structural issues
You must:
- Photograph everything before any repair work begins
- Keep all receipts for emergency materials and contractor attendance
- Report to your insurer promptly. Most insurers have a 24-hour claims line
You should not:
- Carry out permanent repairs before the loss adjuster or a surveyor has assessed the damage
- Discard damaged materials (tiles, timbers, damaged contents) until the claim has been assessed
- Agree to repair works through a contractor appointed by your insurer without understanding what scope has been approved
If you are unsure what repair actions are safe to take without jeopardising your claim, call PCLA on 028 9581 5318 before proceeding.
How to Make a Storm Damage Insurance Claim: Step by Step
Step 1: Notify your insurer
Call your insurer’s claims line as soon as the damage is safe to assess. Give them the date and nature of the damage. Get a claim reference number.
Step 2: Gather your evidence
Photograph all damage in detail before anything is moved or repaired. Note down the date, time, and approximate weather conditions. Retrieve any weather alerts or Met Office warnings for your area on the date of the storm.
Step 3: Make temporary repairs and keep receipts
Take the emergency steps described above. Record all costs.
Step 4: Your insurer appoints a loss adjuster
The insurer will send a loss adjuster to assess the damage. This is where many claimants make avoidable mistakes. Read the next section before this meeting.
Step 5: Review the loss adjuster’s report and the insurer’s offer
You do not have to accept the first offer. If the scope of damage in the adjuster’s report does not reflect what you can see with your own eyes — or does not include hidden damage such as water-soaked insulation, damaged timbers, or damp-affected plasterwork — challenge it.
Step 6: Agree the settlement and arrange reinstatement
Once the scope and value of the claim are agreed, the insurer will either arrange works through their appointed contractors or settle on a cash basis. You have the right to appoint your own qualified contractor for reinstatement work.
Who Is the Loss Adjuster — and Why They Are Not on Your Side
When you make a storm damage claim, your insurer appoints a loss adjuster to investigate and value the claim. Loss adjusters are employed by — or contracted to — the insurer. Their role is to assess the claim within the terms of your policy, but their commercial relationship is with the insurer, not with you.
This does not mean loss adjusters act dishonestly. It does mean their assessment reflects the insurer’s interests, not yours.
A loss assessor — such as PCLA — works for you, the policyholder. We prepare the claim, gather evidence, challenge the loss adjuster’s findings where appropriate, and negotiate the settlement on your behalf. We are on your side from the first inspection to the final payment.
For a full explanation of the difference — and why it matters for the value of your claim — see our guide: Loss Assessor vs Loss Adjuster vs Broker: Who Does What?
Why Storm Damage Claims Are Rejected — and How to Avoid It
Storm damage claims are rejected more frequently than claimants expect. These are the most common reasons:
The weather data does not support a storm.
If wind speeds in your area did not reach the threshold in your policy (typically 55mph), the insurer can decline. You need verified local weather records — not just your own account of conditions.
Pre-existing damage or lack of maintenance.
If the roof was already in poor condition, the insurer will argue the storm was not the cause — the existing deterioration was. A pre-loss roof inspection report, or photographic evidence of the roof’s condition before the storm, can counter this.
Delayed reporting.
Reporting the claim days or weeks after the damage gives the insurer grounds to question whether the damage is attributable to the storm event. Report promptly.
Insufficient documentation.
Claims without detailed photographs, a complete schedule of damage, and supporting evidence for costs are easier for insurers to reduce or contest. Document everything.
Items outside the policy's scope.
Claiming for fences, gates, outbuildings, or other excluded items — even inadvertently — can complicate the overall claim. Know what your policy covers before submitting.
The loss adjuster underestimates the scope.
This is not a rejection — but it produces the same financial result. Hidden damage (soaked insulation, damp-damaged timbers, mould risk in water-affected voids) is frequently omitted from initial assessments. A qualified building surveyor working for you will identify it.
Storm Damage Claims in Northern Ireland and Scotland: Regional Context
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland experiences frequent Atlantic storm systems, particularly between October and March. Named storms — including former Storm Francis, which caused significant flooding and structural damage in Co. Down in August 2020 — generate large volumes of claims. The NI insurance market has its own claims handling characteristics, and local insurer relationships matter.
Following Storm Francis, PCLA worked directly with homeowners in Newcastle, Co. Down, whose properties were affected when the Shimna River burst its banks. We surveyed the damage, arranged temporary accommodation for displaced residents, gathered evidence for the claims, and negotiated with loss adjusters to ensure our clients received their full policy entitlements. Properties were returned to pre-incident condition as quickly as the process allowed.
Scotland
Scotland’s exposure to severe weather is among the highest in the UK, with the Central Belt, west coast, and northern regions particularly affected by named storm events. Properties across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the wider Central Belt are frequently subject to roof tile loss, structural wind damage, and water ingress. PCLA operates across the Scottish Central Belt and handles storm claims for both residential and commercial properties.
How PCLA Handles Storm Damage Claims
PCLA is an independent loss assessing firm. We work for policyholders — not insurers. Our team includes qualified building surveyors and certified insurance practitioners with detailed knowledge of the NI and Scottish insurance markets.
When you appoint PCLA to manage your storm damage claim, we:
- Inspect your property and prepare a full schedule of all storm-related damage, including hidden damage the loss adjuster may have missed or undervalued
- Obtain verified weather data to confirm the storm event meets your policy’s definition
- Review your policy wording in full and identify every head of loss you are entitled to claim
- Prepare and present the claim to your insurer in a format that is difficult to dispute
- Liaise directly with the loss adjuster on your behalf — you do not have to manage that relationship
- Negotiate the settlement to ensure it reflects the true cost of reinstatement
- Coordinate the claim through to final payment
Our fee: 10% + VAT of the claim settlement, on a No Win, No Fee basis.
There is no upfront cost, no fee if we do not recover a settlement for you, and no hidden charges. If we do not win, you pay nothing.
What Happens If My Storm Claim Is Disputed or Rejected?
If your insurer disputes the claim — whether by rejecting it outright, attributing the damage to wear and tear, or offering a settlement that does not reflect your losses — you have options.
First, request a full written explanation of the insurer’s position. Then seek independent assessment of the damage from a qualified building surveyor. A well-evidenced counter-claim, presented by a loss assessor, resolves the majority of disputed storm claims without the need for formal escalation.
If the dispute cannot be resolved directly, you have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The FOS provides a free, independent resolution service. You have eight weeks from the insurer’s final response before you can refer.
PCLA can advise you on this process and assess whether your disputed claim has grounds to proceed.
Frequently asked questions about storm damage claims
Does home insurance cover storm damage to the roof in Northern Ireland?
Yes, if the damage was caused by a qualifying storm event. Your buildings insurance policy should cover sudden structural damage to the roof — including missing tiles, lifted slates, and damage to the roof frame — and any water ingress that results. The insurer will check weather records to confirm the event met their definition of a storm, typically wind speeds exceeding 55mph.
How long do I have to make a storm damage insurance claim?
There is no single fixed deadline, but your policy will require you to notify your insurer promptly after the damage occurs. Delaying notification can give the insurer grounds to question the link between the damage and the storm event. Report as soon as it is safe to do so.
Can I make emergency repairs before the loss adjuster visits?
Yes. You have a duty to mitigate further damage. You can cover exposed areas, board up windows, and make temporary repairs immediately. Photograph all damage before you start, keep every receipt, and do not carry out permanent repairs before the damage has been surveyed.
What if my insurer says the damage is due to wear and tear, not the storm?
This is one of the most common grounds for reducing or rejecting a storm claim. Challenge it. An independent building surveyor can assess whether the damage is consistent with a sudden storm event or pre-existing deterioration. PCLA handles exactly this type of disputed claim. Call us to discuss your position.
Are fences and gates covered under storm damage insurance?
No. In most standard buildings policies, fences, gates, hedges, and garden walls are explicitly excluded from storm damage cover. This exclusion applies even if the storm was the direct cause.
Who does the loss adjuster work for?
The loss adjuster works for your insurer, or is contracted to them. They assess the claim within the terms of your policy, but their commercial relationship is with the insurer. A loss assessor works for you. See our full guide: Loss Assessor vs Loss Adjuster vs Broker.
How much does a loss assessor charge for a storm damage claim in Northern Ireland or Scotland?
PCLA charges 10% + VAT of the settled claim value on a No Win, No Fee basis. There is no upfront fee and nothing to pay if the claim is unsuccessful.
What if the loss adjuster has already visited — is it too late to appoint a loss assessor?
No. You can appoint PCLA at any stage of a claim — including after the loss adjuster has visited, after you have received an initial offer, and even where a claim has already been disputed. If you believe the assessment undervalues your loss, call us.
Does home insurance cover storm damage to outbuildings and sheds?
Not usually under a standard policy. Detached outbuildings, sheds, and greenhouses are frequently excluded or subject to low separate limits. Check your policy schedule for the specific terms.
My storm damage claim was rejected — what can I do?
Request a full written explanation from your insurer. Obtain an independent assessment of the damage. If the rejection is based on a disputed definition of storm conditions or a disputed cause of damage, a well-prepared counter-claim supported by weather data and a qualified surveyor’s report can reverse it. Contact PCLA to discuss your options.
Get Help With Your Storm Damage Claim
PCLA operates across Northern Ireland and Scotland. We are qualified building surveyors and certified insurance practitioners, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 933781).
If you have storm damage to your property and want to know where you stand — before you speak to your insurer’s loss adjuster, or at any point in an existing claim — call us: 028 9581 5318.
No Win, No Fee. No upfront cost. No obligation to call.
Related Guides
- Loss Assessor vs Loss Adjuster vs Broker: Who Does What?
- Water Damage Insurance Claim: What to Do After a Burst Pipe or Flood
- What to Do When Your Insurer Won’t Pay the Full Claim
- How to Challenge a Low Insurance Settlement
