Making Claims for Storm Damage
Storm is a combination of weather elements and is defined by having wind speeds of 90km/hr or more (>55 mph; Force 10 on the Beaufort scale). This will normally be accompanied by heavy rain or hailstones or thunder and lightning. Insurance policies will normally respond to claims for Storm, although if you have suffered damage during high winds – even severe gale force winds and rain this will not be sufficient to qualify as “Storm” unless you are able to prove this with recourse to local weather reports, which may show gusts that qualify.
Again, it is the small print that will lead to claim success or claim failure. Loss Adjusters will have access to meteorological records, both national and local (e.g. from the Met. Office) to determine the weather conditions on the day of your incident. Local newspaper reports may have a tendency to describe very high winds as “Storm”, and they may report on widespread damage, however, the Loss Adjusters and Insurance Companies will be looking closely at the actual recorded local windspeeds to see whether or not they will allow claims under their definitions within the policy.
Truman Associates will work on your side to determine if the circumstances qualify you for a successful outcome, rather than looking for ways to deny your claim.
If you have suffered Storm Damage, call us now on 0800 542 1616. One of our insurance loss assessors will be happy to help you.
Case Study
A house was having some work done and the builders were in the middle of creating a new loft extension when gale force winds ripped up the street, tearing off the tarpaulins and causing internal damage to the house. The owners were away in France at the time and had to return home to deal with the mess. Truman Associates were called in to help but it became apparent that it was not possible to claim for Storm, as the winds that night (even with isolated gusts) had not reached the required speed to gain compensation from our client’s insurance policy. However, it was successfully argued that the builders had not effectively fastened the tarpaulins that had been put in place for the roof works and the claim was channelled instead through the liability insurance covering the builders.
If a storm has caused damage to your home, call us now on 0800 542 1616 or 07831 259545 for help with your insurance claim. One of our insurance loss assessors will be happy to help you.
