Is Storm Damage Covered By Insurance? 103
by Admin
Posted on 29-05-2023 10:50 AM
Storm damage is not always listed in home insurance policies and building insurance policies are often vague when it comes to defining what actually constitutes as a storm, and so it is recommended that you ask your insurance provider for an addendum listing all types of storm damage covered, particularly if you are living in what is considered a high risk area.
A storm is generally categorised as violent winds, which may or may not be accompanied by torrential rains, hail, and snow. Storm damage can include flooding, structural damage caused by debris and fallen trees, and fire cause by electrical faults, but policy wording differs, and so it is essential that you read the small print to
find
out exactly what is covered under your home insurance policy, and more importantly perhaps, what is not.
Yes, buildings and contents insurance policies usually cover against storm damage. And if your home is left uninhabitable, your insurer should pay for alternative accommodation until repairs have been made. Many insurers exclude outbuildings like fences, garden sheds, gates and hedges, unless you have specific cover for them.
Most buildings insurance policies will cover you if a storm blows tiles off your well-maintained roof, as that’s clearly weather damage. However, damage caused by rain coming through the gaps will likely require accidental damage cover. Damage caused by large quantities of snow that has built up after the initial storm will be classified in the same way. On defaqto , only 21% of 311 buildings insurance policies offer accidental damage as standard, while 77% offer it as an optional extra. For peace of mind, you could buy an accidental damage policy, but you shouldn’t assume it’s included as standard with your home insurance.
Buildings insurance policies usually state that they will cover financial loss caused by storm damage – but companies have been known to argue over what constitutes a storm. Last year guardian money dealt with a case where an insurer refused to pay to repair a leaking roof damaged during storm christoph. The financial ombudsman service says these type of disputes are among the main complaints it gets about unpaid storm damage claims. The association of british insurers says a storm is a period of violent weather defined as:.
What Constitutes as a Storm and What is Storm Damage?
The complaints we get are usually where a claim has been declined because there’s a dispute about:
what actually constitutes a 'storm'
whether the damage was caused by a storm
we also get complaints where the storm claim has been accepted but there’s a dispute about the repairs carried out to put the damage right.
Is My Home Covered Against Storm Damage?
Yes, as noted above, homeowners insurance typically covers most types of wind damage. Usually, the dwelling coverage of your homeowners policy will help pay to repair or replace damage to the roof, siding or windows due to a wind event. Your homeowners policy also includes personal property coverage that may help to repair or replace items that become damaged due to a wind event. You should review and understand what your policy covers, including coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions. In some states, there may be special deductibles that are higher for some windstorms, such as hurricanes.