A storm has damaged your home. There may be slates missing from the roof or a section of ridge that has shifted. A chimney stack has cracked or moved. Water is getting in through the ceiling. Or — as happens more often than people expect in Scotland — a tree has come down onto the property.
You are dealing with the immediate damage and, at the same time, trying to work out what your insurance covers. You may have already spoken to your insurer, or you may not yet know where to start.
This page is written for that moment. Most homeowners in Scotland do not realise they can appoint their own expert before the claim begins; before the insurer’s loss adjuster visits; before any assessment is made; and before they commit to anything. That is what PCLA does. We are independent loss assessors covering Scotland. Our job is to make sure your claim is properly prepared from the start.
Thinking about making a claim? Speak to PCLA first:
Fair claims start here.
Remember, we handle the hassle, you keep the payout.
Storm Isha caused widespread damage across Scotland in January 2024. In Stirling, a tree fell onto a homeowner’s property during the storm, causing severe roof damage and affecting the structural integrity of parts of the house. The fallen tree also blocked access to the property at an already difficult time.
What appeared to be a storm damage claim quickly became significantly more complicated. The insurer attempted to deny the claim. Their position was that the tree had grown too tall due to lack of maintenance and that the incident could have been avoided, therefore placing the homeowner at risk of being left with the full cost of major repairs.
PCLA were appointed to manage the claim.
We attended the property, carried out a detailed inspection of the storm-related damage, and reviewed the insurer’s position. We gathered the evidence needed to document the impact of the fallen tree and the resulting damage to the roof and structure.
During the survey, we identified something the initial assessment had missed: the roof slates contained asbestos. This had significant implications for the reinstatement. Asbestos-containing materials require specialist handling, removal, and disposal procedures — and without this being properly identified and included in the claim, the homeowner would have faced a serious additional cost and a genuine health risk.
PCLA challenged the insurer’s attempted denial, ensured the asbestos removal and disposal costs were included as part of the full reinstatement scope, and managed all communication with the insurer and their representatives throughout.
The claim was settled at £31,495.
Settlement figures are from PCLA-managed claims and are shared with policyholder permission.
Individual outcomes depend on policy wording, evidence, and claim circumstances.
Storm damage claims are among the most disputed in home insurance. Several patterns arise across the claims we handle in Scotland.
Insurers challenging the cause.
The most common difficulty is not whether a storm happened, but whether the damage was caused by it. Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service typically consider three questions: whether storm conditions were present on the date in question; whether the damage is consistent with what a storm could cause; and whether the storm was the main cause of the damage. Where an insurer argues that the damage would have occurred regardless — because the roof was already worn, a tree had been neglected, or pointing was already failing — the claim needs clear evidence addressing those arguments directly. The Stirling case illustrates this: the insurer's denial rested on the argument that the tree's condition was a maintenance issue. That argument was challenged and the claim was approved.
Tree damage and the maintenance argument.
Tree damage is a common cause of serious storm claims in Scotland, particularly where mature trees stand close to housing. An insurer may argue that a fallen tree was already dead, diseased, or had not been managed, and that the homeowner had a duty to prevent the risk. Whether this argument is well-founded depends on the evidence — including the actual condition of the tree and whether the homeowner had reasonable grounds to be aware of any risk. This is an area where the presentation of independent evidence matters considerably.
Slate roofs, chimney stacks, and traditional masonry.
Scotland's housing stock includes a significant proportion of older properties built with slate roofs, stone chimney stacks, and traditional lime-based masonry. Slates slip or crack in high winds; ridge tiles shift; chimney stacks can move or fracture under wind pressure. Where an insurer inspects a damaged slate roof on an older property, the question of whether missing slates resulted from the storm or from gradual deterioration is often raised. The same applies to chimney damage. A thorough roof inspection, linked clearly to storm conditions and dated evidence, is important in these claims.
Tenements and shared roofs.
Scotland has a significant proportion of tenement and flatted properties. In a tenement building, the roof is typically a common area for which all owners share responsibility under Scottish tenement law. Where storm damage affects the shared roof, questions of who arranges the claim, whose insurer responds, and how the scope and cost of repairs is apportioned can become complex. PCLA can help document the damage to your own property and navigate the claim position alongside any block or common insurance arrangements.
Hidden damage and water ingress.
Even relatively small gaps created by storm damage — a section of lifted flashing, a few missing slates, a cracked chimney cap — can allow significant volumes of water to enter a property during heavy rain. That water travels through ceiling voids, down internal walls, beneath flooring, and into timber structures well beyond the visible surface damage. A scope of works based only on what was visible at the initial inspection may miss significant areas of water damage to ceilings, walls, plasterwork, and floors.
Asbestos in older roofing materials.
Pre-1985 Scottish properties may have roof coverings, wall materials, or insulation that contain asbestos — including in slates, corrugated sheeting, soffit boards, and ceiling tiles. Where storm damage requires roof or structural repair work, the presence of asbestos-containing materials must be identified before work begins and handled by licensed contractors under strict removal and disposal procedures. If this is not identified at the survey stage, the homeowner may face unexpected and significant costs — or an unsafe repair. This issue arose directly in our Stirling case, and the costs were included in the final settlement because PCLA identified it during the survey.
What counts as a storm.
Home insurance policies do not all define "storm" in the same way. Insurers may check local weather records and wind speed data when assessing a storm claim. Where there is any question about whether conditions at the time met their definition, the weather evidence needs to be presented alongside the damage evidence clearly and consistently.
Read our full Storm Damage Claims Guide.
PCLA is an independent loss assessor and claims management firm. We are appointed by the homeowner, not the insurer. Our work on a storm damage claim covers three things:
Assess the claim.
We attend your property in person, inspect the storm-related damage (roof, chimney, external fabric, and internal water ingress) and review the policy position and any arguments raised by your insurer. We identify the likely points of difficulty and tell you what the claim is likely to involve.
Evidence the damage.
We document the storm-related damage with photographs, technical reports, and detailed inspection records. We gather weather data supporting the storm conditions on the relevant date. Where roof or structural access is required, we coordinate specialist inspections. Where internal water damage has resulted from external defects created by the storm, we carry out moisture mapping to establish the full extent. We prepare a costed schedule of works that reflects the true reinstatement scope that could include items such as specialist asbestos removal where this is identified.
Negotiate the settlement.
We prepare and submit the claim, handle all correspondence with your insurer and any loss adjuster they appoint, address challenges to the cause or scope of damage, and negotiate the settlement on your behalf.
You do not need to manage the paperwork, meet the loss adjuster, or challenge the insurer’s position yourself. We handle that for you.
PCLA covers Glasgow, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Stirling, and across Scotland.
PCLA handles storm damage insurance claims for homeowners across Scotland, including:
If you’re unsure if your situation warrants a loss assessor, call us before you notify your insurer. How a claim is first reported can affect how it is assessed.
Related: Learn more about escape of water and flood damage insurance claims in Scotland.
Before the loss adjuster visits.
Appointing PCLA at the start of the claim gives us the opportunity to carry out our own inspection before any assessment is made on behalf of your insurer. The evidence base is established at this stage — early appointment generally gives the strongest foundation.
After the insurer has already inspected.
You can appoint PCLA after the loss adjuster has visited. A settlement offer is not final until you have accepted it. We can review the offer, carry out further investigation where the evidence supports it, and prepare an independently costed schedule of works before you decide.
If the insurer has raised maintenance or wear and tear as an issue.
If your insurer is arguing that the damage was caused by the prior condition of your roof, a tree, or another part of the property rather than the storm itself, contact us. We will review the position and the available evidence.
If the claim is delayed, reduced, or refused.
Whether your claim is taking too long, the offer does not reflect the extent of the damage, or you have received a refusal you wish to challenge, contact us and we will review what is available to you.
PCLA operates on a No Win, No Fee basis for loss assessing services. There is no upfront cost, and no fee is payable unless your claim is settled. Our fee is a percentage of the agreed settlement, confirmed in writing before any work begins.
There is no obligation from an initial call.
Make the property safe. Stay away from unstable chimney stacks, damaged roof edges, or anything that could fall. If water is near electrics, switch off the affected circuits. Where it is safe to do so, reasonable temporary measures to prevent further water ingress — such as covering an exposed section of roof — are generally expected by insurers and may be covered, depending on the policy. Photograph and video all damage thoroughly before any work begins and retain all invoices. Notify your insurer as soon as you can. You can speak to PCLA at any point, including before you contact your insurer.
Roof and chimney damage caused by a storm is generally within the scope of buildings insurance, but whether a specific claim is covered depends on the cause of the damage, the condition of the property, and the wording of your policy. Insurers may raise questions about the pre-storm condition of the roof or chimney — particularly where slates, pointing, or chimney masonry were already in a deteriorated state. Whether those arguments are well-founded depends on the evidence. PCLA can review the position and help prepare the claim.
This is one of the most common points of difficulty in storm damage claims. Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service consider whether storm conditions were present, whether the damage is consistent with storm impact, and whether the storm was the main cause. If your insurer is relying on wear and tear or prior condition as grounds to reduce or refuse the claim, that reasoning can be examined and challenged where the evidence supports it. PCLA can review the insurer’s position and, where the facts support the claim, prepare the case independently.
An insurer may attempt to decline a storm claim involving a fallen tree on grounds related to the tree’s condition or its maintenance. Whether that argument is valid depends on the facts — including what was actually known about the tree’s condition, what steps could reasonably have been taken, and what the damage evidence shows. This is exactly the situation that arose in our Stirling case, where the insurer’s denial was challenged and overturned. PCLA can review the position where a claim has been refused on these grounds.
Asbestos-containing materials are present in some older Scottish properties — in slates, soffits, ceiling tiles, insulation, and other building materials. If your property was built before the late 1980s and storm damage requires roof or structural repair work, asbestos may be present. Its removal requires specialist contractors working under controlled conditions and strict disposal procedures. The cost of handling asbestos safely should be included in the claim as part of the full reinstatement scope — but it must first be identified at the survey stage to ensure it is covered. PCLA identified this issue during our Stirling survey, and the associated costs were included in the final £31,495 settlement.
Homeowners are generally expected to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage — for example, having a tarpaulin or temporary cover fixed over an exposed section of roof. Most policies accommodate this, provided the damage is photographed before any work begins and all invoices are retained. Speak to PCLA early if you are unsure how to approach temporary works while preserving the evidence base.
Where internal damage — to ceilings, walls, plasterwork, floors, or decoration — results from a gap created by the storm, it is generally part of the same claim. The extent of cover depends on the policy wording and the evidence linking the internal damage to the storm-created defect. PCLA can carry out moisture mapping to document the internal damage pathway and ensure it is included in the full scope of works, not just the external repair.
A loss adjuster is appointed and paid by your insurer to assess the claim on their behalf. A loss assessor — such as PCLA — is appointed by, and acts for, the homeowner. Both roles are legitimate; the difference is who has appointed them and whose interests they represent. See our guide to the difference between a loss assessor and a loss adjuster for more detail.
You do not have to accept an offer before taking independent advice. A settlement offer is not final until you have accepted it. PCLA can review the offer, assess the damage independently, prepare an alternative schedule of works, and, where the evidence supports it, negotiate with your insurer before you make any decision.
Yes. PCLA can be appointed at any stage — before the claim begins, during the claim, or after an initial offer has been received. A settlement is not final until you have accepted it.
PCLA covers Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, and across Scotland. If you are unsure whether we cover your area, call us on 0141 461 2406 and we will advise.
If storm damage has affected your home and you are not sure what your claim involves, or if your insurer is raising arguments about maintenance, wear and tear, or the cause of the damage, contact PCLA.
We give homeowners across Scotland their own independent expert before the insurance claim begins, assessing the damage, evidencing the full extent, and negotiating the settlement so the claim is properly prepared from the start.
No Win, No Fee. No upfront cost. No obligation from an initial call.
For our full Scotland loss assessor service covering all claim types, see our Scotland loss assessor page →.