What are Acts of God and does home insurance cover them?

Key takeaways

• “Acts of God” is an old insurance term for extreme, unforeseen natural events outside human control, such as storms, floods and earthquakes

• Events caused by human action or negligence, such as a leaking tap or leaving an iron on, aren't generally considered Acts of God

• Most home insurance policies cover specific natural and weather-related events, but cover depends on your policy and can include exclusions, limits and higher excesses

What is an Act of God? 

Regarding home insurance, the phrase ‘Act of God’ refers to extreme, unforeseen events caused by nature that are outside human control and could not reasonably have been prevented.

These might include events such as severe storms, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The term is rarely used by insurers today. Instead, home insurance policies normally list the specific events they cover, along with any exclusions and conditions.

What is not considered an Act of God?

If someone or something is responsible for an incident, and it could have been prevented or avoided, it generally won't be considered an Act of God.

For example, a flood caused by a leaking tap or a fire that started because of an iron left on are incidents where human action caused the damage.

Damage caused by poor maintenance or wear and tear would also generally be treated differently from damage caused by an unexpected natural event.

Does my home insurance cover Acts of God? 

Yes, most home insurance policies do cover events traditionally called “Acts of God,” although insurers rarely use that phrase anymore.

Instead, they list the specific natural events they cover, such as storms, floods, lightning, or earthquakes. Cover varies by insurer and policy.

The following 'Acts of God' are generally included: 

• Storms 

• Lighting  

• Floods 

• Tsunamis 

• Volcano eruptions 

• Tornadoes

Can I buy Act of God insurance? 

No, there aren't specific ‘Acts of God’ insurance policies. Instead, home insurance policies provide cover for individual events, such as storm, flood or lightning damage.

If you're concerned about a particular natural event, check your policy to make sure that risk is covered and look at any exclusions, limits or excesses that apply.

Does my home insurance cover natural disasters? 

Your home insurance may cover natural disasters such as lightning strikes, floods and storm damage, but the exact cover depends on the policy you've bought.

The amount of cover you have and any exclusions should be set out in your policy documents.

Not every scenario will be covered. For example, unless you have a specific garden insurance add-on, there may be limitations on the cover provided for structures and items outside your main building.

It's also important to remember that home insurance generally won't cover damage caused by wear and tear, poor maintenance or an existing problem.

Did you know? In 2024, only 32% of storm claims made to a group of insurers analysed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) resulted in a settlement payment. Common reasons for rejected claims included wear and tear, damage costing less than the excess and weather conditions not meeting the insurer's definition of a storm.

What natural events aren't covered by home insurance?

Home insurance doesn't automatically cover every natural event or every type of damage caused by extreme weather.

Depending on your policy, exclusions or limitations may include:

• Wear and tear or gradual deterioration

• Damage caused by poor maintenance

• Existing or preventable damage

• Items or structures specifically excluded by your policy

• Limits on garden furniture, sheds, fences or other outdoor items

• Higher excesses for particular risks, such as flooding or subsidence

Always check your policy wording to understand what is covered before making a claim.

Does my home insurance cover floods and storm damage? 

Yes, most home insurance policies provide some cover for flood and storm damage.

If you live in a flood-risk area (you can check if you do on the Gov.uk website) your insurance is probably going to be more expensive, or you may have to pay a higher excess if you make an insurance claim.  

Properties in high flood risk areas can also get protection from the Government’s Flood Re scheme which will provide cover if standard insurers won’t. You can find a list of insurance providers who are members of the scheme on the Flood Re website.

What should I do if a natural event causes damage to my home?

If your home is damaged by a storm, flood or another natural event, make sure everyone is safe first and contact the emergency services if necessary.

If it's safe to do so, take photographs or videos of the damage and take reasonable steps to prevent it from getting worse. For example, you could temporarily cover a broken window or damaged roof.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible and follow its claims process. Keep receipts for any emergency repairs and don't throw away damaged items or carry out permanent repairs until your insurer has confirmed what you should do.

How do I submit a claim for an Act of God on home insurance?

If your home is damaged by a natural or weather-related event covered by your policy:

• Check your policy: Make sure the event, such as flooding or storm damage, is covered and check your excess

• Document the damage: Take photos and videos and keep receipts for any emergency repairs

• Contact your insurer: Report the claim as soon as possible and provide details of what happened

• Provide evidence: Send your insurer any photographs, receipts or other information it requests

• Wait for an assessment: Your insurer may arrange for someone to inspect the damage before deciding whether your claim is covered

• Arrange repairs: If your claim is approved, your insurer will explain the next steps, which may include arranging repairs or paying a settlement

What if my natural disaster insurance claim is denied?

If your claim is denied, ask your insurer to explain why and check the decision against your policy wording. You can provide additional evidence or ask them to reconsider.

If you're still unhappy, make a formal complaint to your insurer before escalating the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Will a natural disaster claim affect my insurance?

Making a home insurance claim can affect your future premiums or no-claims discount, depending on your policy and the circumstances of the claim.

For smaller amounts of damage, consider the cost of the repairs, your policy excess and the potential impact of making a claim before deciding whether to claim.

If you're unsure, contact your insurer and ask how making a claim could affect your policy.

How can I protect my home from natural events?

While you can't prevent extreme weather or natural disasters, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of damage to your home:

• Maintain your roof and gutters: Keep gutters clear and repair damaged roof tiles or other problems promptly

• Secure windows and doors: Check locks and make sure windows and doors are properly maintained

• Protect against flooding: If you live in a flood-risk area, consider measures such as flood-resistant doors, airbrick covers or a sump pump

• Look after trees: Keep trees on your property maintained and remove dead or dangerous branches

• Secure outdoor items: Bring garden furniture and other loose items inside or secure them before severe weather

• Keep your home maintained: Deal with leaks, damp and other problems promptly, as damage caused by poor maintenance may not be covered by your insurance

It's also important to check your home insurance regularly to make sure you have the right level of buildingsand contents cover for your needs.