A storm can strip roof tiles, bring down fencing and chimneys, force water through the building fabric and flood outbuildings within minutes. Once the immediate danger has passed, you are left assessing the damage, reporting it to your insurer and working out what your policy actually covers.
PCLA gives homeowners, landlords and businesses in Northern Ireland and Scotland their own independent expert before the claim begins. We assess the damage, evidence the loss and negotiate the settlement, so you are not navigating a storm claim on your own.
A short call will help you understand what to do next. No pressure. No obligation.
Storm claims typically involve damage from wind, driving rain and falling debris, and the way policies define a “storm” can affect what is covered:
Roof and structural damage: lifted or missing tiles, damaged chimneys, cracked render, and the water ingress that follows.
Fencing, outbuildings and garden structures which are often covered differently (and sometimes less generously) than the main building.
Water damage inside the property where wind-driven rain or a damaged roof has let water into ceilings, walls and rooms below.
Falling trees or debris damaging the building, vehicles or garden.
Cover, and how quickly it is agreed, depends on your policy wording, whether the damage meets your insurer’s definition of a storm, and how well the loss is evidenced. For the full detail on what counts as storm damage, how claims are assessed, and common rejection reasons, see our storm damage claim guide. This page covers how PCLA handles the claim on your behalf.
Your insurer may appoint a loss adjuster to assess the claim for them. A loss assessor is your own expert, appointed before the claim begins to make sure the full extent of the storm damage is properly assessed and negotiated.
Tell us what happened, what your insurer has said, and where the claim stands. We will give you an honest view of whether a loss assessor is likely to help.
Our loss assessor, working alongside a qualified surveyor where the damage requires it, inspects the property and reviews your policy. We identify the full extent of the storm damage, including damage that is not obvious at first glance: water ingress through a lifted roof tile, flooding where storm rainfall has overwhelmed drainage, damp tracking down inside cavity walls, and damage to outbuildings or fencing that may sit under different policy terms. We check what your buildings and contents cover actually includes.
We prepare the claim file your insurer needs to see: photography, weather reports and storm records where relevant, specialist reports and reinstatement costings. A well-evidenced claim, submitted promptly, is harder to reduce or dispute.
We deal with the insurer and their appointed loss adjuster on your behalf, depending on policy wording. We raise under-scoped repairs and reduced offers, and keep you updated throughout so you are not left chasing.
Once settlement is agreed, you receive the funds and can move forward with repairs.
This is a real outcome from a PCLA client, shared with permission. Every claim is different, and results depend on policy wording, evidence and the extent of the damage.
Storm Amy lifted roof tiles at a property in Banbridge, letting water into the living room below. PCLA assessor Declan Gilmore assessed the full extent of the roof and internal water damage, prepared the evidence and negotiated the claim to a £3,900 settlement.
This case study also appears on our storm damage claim guide, which covers the wider detail of what counts as storm damage and how claims like this are assessed.
If your home has been damaged in a storm, we manage the claim so you are not left working out roof surveys, water damage and policy wording alone. We make sure the full extent of the damage, including secondary water ingress, is properly assessed.
Storm damage at a rental property often means urgent repairs, a property that cannot be safely let, and a claim that needs to move quickly. We handle the claim end to end and make sure loss of rent and reinstatement costs are properly claimed, depending on your policy.
Storm damage to commercial premises can disrupt trading and raise disputes over reinstatement cost and business interruption. We act for the business owner and negotiate a settlement that reflects the true cost of getting the premises back in use.
Insurance companies apply their own definition of a storm, often based on wind speed, rainfall or hail thresholds (commonly gusts of around 50mph or more, or a defined rate of rainfall). Insurers typically check this against independent weather records for your area and the day of the damage. Damage from a weather event that does not technically meet the policy definition can be disputed or reduced, even when the damage itself is genuine and significant. Where the position is unclear, we can help gather and present the relevant weather data alongside your evidence.
Insurers sometimes argue that a roof was already in poor condition before the storm, and that the damage reflects existing wear and tear rather than storm damage. Distinguishing pre-existing condition from storm-caused damage is one of the most common points of dispute in storm claims.
Water that enters through a damaged roof or wall does not always show up immediately. Damp can track through cavity walls and ceilings for weeks, and a claim settled too early can miss damage that only becomes visible later.
Coastal and elevated properties in Northern Ireland and Scotland are more exposed to wind-driven rain and repeated storm events over a winter season, which can complicate claims where multiple storms have contributed to the same damage.
If the sum insured does not reflect the true rebuild cost, insurers can apply the average clause and reduce the settlement proportionately. We check your position and present the claim to limit the impact where we can.
After a storm, insurers may offer a cash settlement to close the claim quickly, particularly where repairs are straightforward. A cash offer can be the right outcome, but only if it reflects the full cost of repair, including any water damage that is not yet fully visible.
Once you accept a settlement, it can be difficult to reopen the claim if further damage comes to light. Before you accept any offer, speak to us. A short call costs nothing, and we will give you an honest view of whether the compensation on the table reflects the full scope of the damage.
Storm claims are sometimes declined or reduced. Common reasons include:
A denial or reduction is not always final. PCLA can review the policy wording, the insurer’s reasoning and the available evidence, including independent weather data where the dispute is over whether storm conditions applied. Speak to us before accepting the outcome.
You should speak to us if:
Your insurer has appointed a loss adjuster and you want your own expert looking at the claim.
You are unsure whether the damage meets your insurer’s definition of a storm.
Water has entered the property through the roof, walls or windows.
Fencing, outbuildings or garden structures were damaged and you are unsure whether they are covered.
You are a landlord facing loss of rent or a business facing disruption to trading.
The insurer’s offer feels too low for the repairs needed.
If you are not sure whether your claim is serious enough, call before you claim. Getting professional help early, before the claim is underway, is what lets a loss assessor make the most difference. We will tell you honestly whether a loss assessor is likely to help.
Make the property safe. Do not attempt roof or structural repairs yourself in unsafe conditions.
Contact your insurer to report the damage as soon as you can.
Take photos and videos of the damage before any temporary repairs are made.
Keep any weather warnings, storm records or tradesperson quotes.
Keep receipts for any temporary repairs or emergency contractor costs. Insurers often reimburse reasonable emergency costs, and receipts help evidence what was done and why.
Speak to PCLA before agreeing the scope of repairs or accepting any offer.
Our storm damage claim guide covers the emergency steps and what typically counts as storm damage in more detail.
Emergency work to make the property safe and prevent further damage is expected and should not wait. Permanent reinstatement before the claim is agreed can weaken your position, so speak to us first if you are unsure.
of the final gross settlement, plus VAT.
You only pay when the claim settles. The fee is confirmed in writing before we begin, and payment is made after you receive settlement funds from the insurer.
Over 270 homeowners across Northern Ireland and Scotland have rated PCLA five stars for taking the stress out of their storm damage insurance claims.
Most home insurance policies cover storm damage to the building and contents, but cover depends on your policy wording, your insurer’s definition of a storm, and how the damage is evidenced. Our storm damage claim guide explains the detail.Most home insurance policies cover storm damage to the building and contents, but cover depends on your policy wording, your insurer’s definition of a storm, and how the damage is evidenced. Our storm damage claim guide explains the detail.
Insurers typically look at wind speed, rainfall or hail against a policy-defined threshold. Roof damage, fencing, falling trees and water ingress caused by the storm can all potentially be covered, depending on wording.
Yes. If the offer seems too low or does not reflect the full cost of repair, including water damage that is not yet fully visible, we can review the scope and evidence before you accept.
Insurers usually check weather conditions on the day against their policy’s storm definition. If the position is disputed, we can help review the available weather evidence alongside your policy wording before you accept the insurer’s assessment.
No. Insurers are expected to treat all policyholders fairly, whether or not they have appointed their own representative. Having a loss assessor should not put a valid claim at any disadvantage.
Sometimes, but often under different terms to the main building, and cover can be limited. We check your specific policy wording as part of the claim review.
The insurer’s loss adjuster reports to the insurer. A loss assessor is your own expert, working for you. Appointing one before the claim begins means the full scope of the damage is captured from the start.
As early as possible, ideally before repairs begin or any offer is accepted, so your position is protected from the outset.
It depends on the extent of the damage, the insurer’s process and whether the claim is disputed. Straightforward claims may settle in weeks; more complex claims can take longer. Read our guide on insurance claim timelines →
No. No ethical claims company should guarantee an outcome. We can make sure your claim is properly evidenced, costed and negotiated so the settlement reflects the true scope of the damage.
You do not have to work out policy wording, storm definitions and insurer questions on your own. PCLA helps homeowners, landlords and businesses in Northern Ireland and Scotland prepare strong, evidence-led storm damage claims and move towards a fair settlement.
Tell us what happened and we will call you back.
We will only use your details to contact you about your claim.
A loss assessor will manage any type of insurance claim covered by an insurance policy. In this article, we’ll uncover the reasons why you should consider working with a loss assessor if you need to make an insurance claim for property damage.
In August 2020 storm Francis hit the UK causing a lot of damage to property throughout the country. Particularly affected was Newcastle, Co. Down.