EXPERT COMMENT: STORM DAMAGE RISK FOR HOMES

With Storm Herminia expected to bring extreme wind and flooding warnings, thousands of homes might be at risk of damage. Matthew Harwood, Confused.com home insurance expert comments:

“Storm Herminia is expected to bring strong winds and damage to parts of England and Wales in the next couple of days. And this may cause damage to homes and gardens for many around the country.

“Our research found that insurers paid out £17.5 million for storm damage, falling trees and lightning related claims in 2024. In comparison with the £6.5 million paid out in 2019, it’s clear that as climate change continues, the risk of flood and storm damage increasing. And the damage sometimes goes beyond storm damage itself, leading to issues like power cuts and outages. That’s as our research also found that insurers paid out more than £4 million for frozen food claims since 2019.

“With more homeowners potentially facing damage issues, taking note of these steps before making a claim should help make for a smooth process:

• Get in touch with your insurer as they can advise on what your policy covers and the next steps
• Have a thorough inspection of the house, taking photos of any damage and recording the date and time
• Keep any damaged items for proof so that insurers can assess the extent of damage

“You might already have cover for storm or flood damage in your buildings and contents insurance, but the level of cover could vary. So it’s worth checking with your provider. If you’re not sure, our guide to whether your home is covered against storm damage should help. And don’t worry, if you think might need more protection in the future, you could add flood insurance to an existing policy or take it out separately.”