Does home insurance normally cover storm roof damage?

Between damage caused by an identifiable weather event and deterioration through age, wear or lack of maintenance. A roof already at the end of its life that loses coverings in a storm may be assessed differently from a sound roof damaged by the same wind.

That is a matter for the insurer under the policy terms. Our part is to report what we find accurately, including whether damage appears recent or long-standing.

Prompt notification, dated photographs of the damage as found, a record of any temporary protection, and a written report describing what has failed and where. Keeping receipts for emergency work is sensible.

Check the policy for requirements about notifying before permanent repairs, and about who may carry out the work.

Citizens Advice publishes guidance on making an insurance claim, and the Financial Ombudsman Service considers complaints where a policyholder and insurer cannot agree. The Association of British Insurers publishes general information about home insurance.

We do not act as loss assessors and make no representation about the outcome of any claim.

Before deciding whether to claim, it is worth establishing roughly what the repair involves and weighing that against the policy excess and any effect on future premiums, since a small repair may cost more in the long run to claim for than to pay for directly. That is a decision for you to make with your insurer or broker, informed by an accurate written report of what has failed.

Where a claim is likely to proceed, check whether the policy requires the insurer's agreement before permanent work begins, since carrying out repairs first can complicate how a claim is assessed. Emergency protection to prevent further damage is generally treated differently from the permanent repair, and it helps to keep the two clearly separated in any record you provide.