Does home insurance cover storm damage?

Key takeaways

• You should be able to claim on your home insurance policy in the event of a storm or bad weather damaging your home.

• However, you’ll need to show you’ve maintained your home and kept it in good shape otherwise your claim may not be valid.

• Make sure you document any evidence of damage, keep receipts for urgent repairs and contact your insurer immediately as soon as you see any issues.

Does home insurance cover storm damage?

Yes, both your buildings and contents home insurance policies should include cover for sudden or unexpected bad weather and storms.

This means you’ll be able to claim for damage caused to your home that resulted from the storm - so long as you’ve kept your home in good shape with regular maintenance.

Data from the Association of British Insurers revealed that UK insurers paid out a record £1.2 billion for weather-related damage to homes in 2025, a 14% increase on 2024.

How do insurers define storm or weather damage?

Insurers typically define storm or weather damage as sudden, extreme natural weather events that directly cause physical damage to a property.

While insurers will vary on specifics, most will generally categorise the following incidents as weather-related damage:

• Damage caused by wind or hail

• Damage caused by falling trees or lightning

• Water and flooding from excessive rainfall or melting/thawed snow

• Frozen pipes from cold weather

• Snow and ice causing roof damage

• Power failures resulting from the storm, and losses associated with this such as spoiled food

What is storm and weather damage home insurance?

Storm and weather damage is included as standard as part of home insurance, covering you for damage to your home’s structure and any possessions inside that were affected.

What does storm and weather damage insurance cover?

Storm and weather damage insurance typically covers sudden, direct damage to your home caused by extreme weather.

Cover can vary by policy and provider, but most storm and weather damage insurance policies include cover for damage caused to the structure of your home and any belongings you have inside.

You might also be able to claim for alternative accommodation if your home is rendered uninhabitable after the storm.

What isn’t covered by storm and weather damage insurance?

Storm and weather damage insurance does not cover wear and tear, poor maintenance, pre-existing defects, or gradual issues like damp and leaks. It only applies to sudden, severe weather events that directly cause damage.

Other exclusions may include:

• Fences, walls and gates

• Sheds and outbuildings

• Building works, like incomplete extensions

• Garden furniture and belongings

• Fallen TV aerials or satellites

How do I prove a storm damage claim?

To prove a storm damage claim, you typically need evidence such as photos or videos of the damage immediately after the event and details of the storm (e.g. weather reports or timestamps).

The Met Office uses the Beaufort Scale to look at damage that can occur at different wind speeds, and it states that light structural damage can occur at wind speeds of 47mph. However, insurers may use their own standards.

You might also need records showing your property was in good condition beforehand, and professional assessments or repair quotes confirming that the damage was caused directly by the storm.

According to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers, insurers paid out a record £1.2 billion for weather-related damage to people’s homes and possessions in 2025.

How do I make a storm damage claim?

To make a claim, try to gather evidence of the storm or bad weather and the damage it has caused. Contact your insurance provider as soon as you can.

If you have home emergency cover you might have access to a 24-hour helpline - be sure to keep your policy details to hand if you can.

Avoid cleaning up the mess until you’ve taken photos and videos to support your claim - your provider may send someone out to assess the damage too, especially if it’s extensive.

Protecting your home from bad weather and storm damage

You can protect your home from bad weather and storm damage by keeping your home properly maintained.

Here are some steps you can take to try and mitigate potential damage:

• Insulate your walls, loft and water pipes to protect against cold weather

• Repair things like leaky taps, loose roof tiles and broken fences or walls

• Run your central heating

• Clear any guttering or drainage systems of debris or snow and ice

Compare home insurance quotes

Finding affordable home insurance that offers storm and bad weather protection is easy when you compare quotes with MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us about yourself, your property and the cover you need, and we’ll search the market for deals that meet your needs.

Once you find the deal you want, just click through to the provider’s website to finalise your purchase.