With the recent destruction caused by Storm Arwen across the UK, and predictions that we are going to see one of the coldest winters in 10 years, we highlight some of the things you can do to protect your property.
You may have seen in the news coverage that we are predicted to see one of the coldest winters in 10 years. Typically, we don’t envisage a problem until something actually happens, so we want to highlight some of the things you can do to be proactive and help protect your property and prevent claims during winter.
What insurance covers weather damage?
Building and Contents policies generally cover Storm damage but this may be subject to limitations shown with the policy wording. If you are unclear on whether you’re covered, you should speak with your insurance broker.
4 Tips to protect your property and prevent claims during winter
Clear out guttering
It might seem like one of those monotonous tasks but cleaning out gutters is an absolute must. Gutters can suffer from moss build up and autumn leave fall, which has the potential to cause a water blockage. Not only can such water blockages cause a damp issue, but the standing water could also freeze, leading to tension on the guttering which could cause it to pull away from the building, leaving you with a much bigger problem.
Is broken guttering covered on house insurance?
Your Home Insurance will not cover damaged Guttering as this is generally related to Wear and Tear which is a standard exclusion. However, if the guttering were to be damaged for example by a falling tree or object, this would fall under resultant damage which would normally be picked up by the insurance cover dependant on the Policy Wording.
Does insurance cover gutter overflow?
If the guttering is maintained in a good state any resultant damage from an overflowing gutter would be covered if the policyholder has taken steps to prevent a problem from occurring. For example, clearing of any leaves or weather build-up
Prevent pipes from freezing
Frozen pipes are one of the most common problems homeowners face during the winter months. If pipes freeze, they have the potential to crack and cause a leak or burst – both of which can cause a great deal of damage to your home. The ABI report that last year, the average cost of weather-related home insurance claims for burst pipes came in above £8,900*, showing just how costly this type of incident can be.
In order to protect pipes during the winter months, make sure your heating is on. Even if your property is vacant during a holiday or a trip to see family over the festive period, your heating should remain on at a minimum of 10 degrees to help prevent pipes from freezing. Alternatively, have your heating on a timer so it’s on at regular intervals to keep water moving.
Is snow damage covered by insurance?
Snow damage is ordinarily covered under a home insurance policy; this could include such incidents as damage to a roof causing ingress of water. Snow is considered under the storm peril of policies and any endorsements that apply under that section should be replicated. It should be noted though that policies do vary.
Check your roof for damage
Checking your roof for missing or slipped tiles could prevent potential water damage. Extreme weather conditions, snow and rain can cause serious damage if there is a gap in your roofing. This damage in itself may not be of huge concern but the water damage that could ensue if it is not repaired could be substantial. If it is not possible to inspect your roof externally, we suggest using an agency to do so. Alternatively, an inspection of the inside of your roof in the loft area should pinpoint any areas of concern.
Does insurance cover roof damage from wind?
Under normal circumstances, the cover would apply if the policyholder were complying with any endorsements/warranties or terms applicable to the Roof. Refer to your Broker to check the applicable cover.
Inspect trees and fencing for damage
Inspection of any trees and removal of any weak or low hanging branches that could potentially fall in strong winds or heavy snowfall is also important. We also advise checking any fencing or gates to ensure they are not damaged. If fencing is looking a little worse for wear, it would be worth considering repairing or replacing it so that it can stand up to any prolonged poor weather conditions or a storm, as well as to prevent any sections from becoming loose and causing damage to your property or any vehicles.
Is falling tree damage covered by insurance?
Damage caused by falling trees is normally only covered if a building, fence or other insured structure is affected. However, your home emergency cover may react if a tree is in a precarious position and is endangering your living space. Otherwise, the cost of removing or replacing the tree following a storm is normally excluded. It should be noted though that policies do vary.
Is fence damage covered by insurance?
It is common for storm damage to fences to be excluded in home policies. However, this is sometimes overridden when the damage is caused by a falling tree. Policy wordings do vary in this area so it is worth speaking to your insurance broker on this point. This would also be the type of claim to consider whether it is worth making a claim as insurers will likely believe this is a claim that could reoccur.
We’re here to help
We provide further information on storm cover specifically in our blog post ‘Understanding storms in the context of insurance’. We also provide useful advice to landlords about how tenants can assist in protecting properties.
If you have any questions about your high value home insurance or more specifically, storm insurance, please do not hesitate to contact the team on 01653 697055 or by emailing affinity@mcclarroninsurance.com and we will be very happy to help.
