As storm Eowyn wreaks havoc on the UK with winds as high as 90mph and potentially reaching 100mph in more exposed coastal areas, many are concerned about what to do if they need to make a claim on their home insurance.
If your property has suffered damages from a storm, the first thing you need to do is to check your home insurance policy is up to date and has all the correct details.
This includes your insurer being aware of any recent changes to the property such as extensions or renovations, otherwise your policy may be invalid.
Some policies are different to others so it’s important to check storms are included in your cover before making a claim.
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If the policyholder is unsure, call and speak to the insurer who can help.
When and how to claim on home insurance
"The sooner you claim, the better, as this means your insurer will be able to review your claim and help as quickly as possible," says Alex Cross, chief customer officer at Tesco Insurance.
"Before making the call it is helpful to have your personal details to hand such as your policy number. We advise making a note of your claim number and keeping any paper trail, so you can refer back to it when needed throughout the process."
Some providers will have a different phone number available for emergencies, so it’s worth visiting their website, as your claim could be fast tracked depending on how badly your property has been affected by the storm.
What evidence you'll need
"To make a claim, you’ll need to show clear evidence of the damage done to your property," says Alex.
"Make sure you are safe before taking any photos or videos of the rooms and items impacted. Phone pictures are usually accepted as camera quality is sufficient these days, but ensure you can properly see the damage from up close, as well as in wider shots."
Some providers will also require proof of purchase for larger or more expensive items, such as a TV or sofa. If you’ve had to re-house your family temporarily because of the storm, enquire if accommodation is covered by your policy and keep any receipts involved.
What to do in the meantime
"While your claim is being processed by your insurer, we recommend checking if other standard property features are still working," says Alex. "This can be checking your pipes, hot water, boiler, gas and electricity are still working - but only do this if it’s safe to do so."
When successful, the outcome of your claim will usually result in one of the following scenarios from your insurer:
- They’ll arrange for repairs to be carried out
- They’ll arrange to replace any lost, damaged and stolen items directly to you
- Or they’ll pay you the cash value of the lost, damaged or stolen item
While the storm is on, the most important thing is to keep yourself safe. Claims can be made and damage assessed after the storm has passed, so stay sheltered until the winds have passed.
