Storm Insurance?
With the onset of Storms and their given names making the headlines on the Weather News, now, in storm season, it's a good idea to know what you are covered for in the event of a claim. So what does Storm Insurance actually cover on a standard insurance policy, and what should you look out for on your insurance policy wording?
So what is a Storm?
A storm can be defined as a period of violent weather defined as: Wind speeds with gusts of at least 48 hours or Torrential rainfall at a rate of at least 25mm per hour; snow to a depth of at least one foot in 24 hours or; hail of such intensity that it causes damage to hard surfaces or breaks glass.
What are you insured for under a Standard Property Owners Policy?
Every insurance policy has subtle and not so subtle differences between them. Generally speaking an insurance policy will, as standard, insure you against storm damage to your property, but there are exclusions. Such exclusions are commonly that of damage to gates and boundary fences for example.
Fallen trees are normally over covered if they strike the actual main property or building insured. Should a tree fall and not damage the main building, then the cost of removal is normally the responsibility of the insured.
These are common exclusions and not often known by policyholders, which can often lead to a source of dispute when a claim arises from storm damage.
Are flat roofs insured for Storm Damage?
Flat roofs are covered for storm damage insurance. However, it is often contested by insurers due the lack on maintenance of the flat roofs.
Quite commonly, flat roofs are not maintained and as a result there can be a lot of damage to flat roofs in the event of high winds.
If the flat roofs are maintained, then the insurer should deal with your claim in the same way they would with any other part of the building that has suffered any damage.
Example Common Flat Roof Maintenance Condition
It is a Condition Precedent to the liability of the Insurer under this Section(s) that: A all areas of flat felted roofs are inspected at least every year by a qualified builder or property surveyor and all defects; and B a record of all inspections is made and retained by the Insured and is to be available for inspection by the Insurer if they so require.
All losses to the flat roof area or resulting from or attributed to the flat roof area are subject to a policy excess of £500 in respect of each and every loss.
Storm insurance Top Tip
Make sure you retain a copy of your roof inspections. This is one of the most common ways insurers look to decline claims after storm damage to flat roofs.
You may have had your roof inspected as per the policy condition, but are unable to prove that and therefore unable to prove the roof was in good condition prior to any storm damage.
As soon a there is storm damage, make sure you have your proof ready to show a Loss Adjuster when they inspect the damage – if you don't have it to hand, make sure you inform the loss adjuster and present it to insurers once you have it.
The key is, be aware of this condition. Scratching your head or saying you don't have a record when an Adjuster asks for proof, is an automatic Red Flag to insurers!
Storm Insurance is a standard peril insured on a Property Owners Policy. Make sure you check your Schedule carefully so that it is definitely covered and not an exclusion – which can be the case with extremely storm prone parts of the UK.
In some cases you may find there is a large storm excess – again check this carefully as in some cases the excess may be so high, it may not be even worth it.
If you would like to discuss Storm Insurance for your property – give us a call on 0800 085 3761 to discuss your options.
By the way if you are a landlord, you might like to check out 6 Landlord Insurance Tipsand if you need a quote just click on Landlord Insurance.
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
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Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
We have over 40 years experience as Residential and Commercial Insurance Brokers. We find the right policy to suit your needs and understand the risks that a property owner can face in the course of ownership. We work closely with our Insurers to get the best rates and our experience and excellent relationships with them mean that we can provide cover for even the most difficult to place risks.
Whether you have an adverse claims history, a high value property or a large portfolio of properties, we can source suitable cover for you. Whatever your requirements, we can tailor a specialist property insurance policy to suit your exact needs and provide you with a range of quotes to choose from. Established in 1976, we are not a call centre but a specialist insurance broker with a traditional office mentality, where the client comes first.
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Contents
- 1 Storm Insurance?
- 2 So what is a Storm?
- 3 What are you insured for under a Standard Property Owners Policy?
- 4
- 5 Insurance under one roof
- 6 We are specialists in many types of insurance
- 7 Are flat roofs insured for Storm Damage?
- 8 Storm insurance Top Tip
- 9 If you would like to discuss Storm Insurance for your property – give us a call on 0800 085 3761 to discuss your options.
- 10 Block of Flats
- 11 Unoccupied
- 12 Home Insurance
- 13 Residential Landlord
- 14 Land Liability
- 15 Commercial Property
- 16 Lockup Garage
- 17 Restaurant
- 18 Takeaway
- 19 Classic Car
- 20 Mixed Use
- 21 Tradesmen
- 22 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 23 Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
- 24 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 25 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 26 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 27 Competitive Premiums
- 28 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 29 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 30 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 31 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 32 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 33 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 34 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 35 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 36 Competitive Premiums
- 37 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 38 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 39 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 40 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 41 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 42 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 43 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 44 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 45 Competitive Premiums
- 46 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 47 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 48 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 49 Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
- 50 Get In Touch:
- 51 We accept most payment types including:
- 52 UK Call Handlers & Dedicated New Business Team
- 53 Call Us on 0800 085 3761
