Does your insurance cover damage caused by bad weather?

Storm Éowyn is set to hit the UK later this week, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and snow to some areas. 

Storms aren't the only extreme weather events that can cause extensive damage and disruption. Cold snaps and even heatwaves may lead to plumbing issues in homes, car breakdowns, and travel chaos.

Here, Which? explains what weather-related damage your insurance is likely to cover. 

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Does insurance cover extreme weather?

According to the Met Office, storms, heavy rain and heatwaves are becoming more common as a result of climate change.

An increase in extreme weather events means a more frequent risk of damage to property and disruption to travel. 

The latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows that claims for damage to homes from storms, heavy rain and frozen pipes hit £136m in July to September 2024, up 6% year-on-year. 

Home insurance

Your home insurance policy should cover you for sudden, unforeseen events such as bad weather and storms.

Your buildings insurance should cover damage caused by hail, wind, rain, snow or ice. This includes broken roofs, frozen pipes, falling trees and loss of power.

As always, there are a few caveats. You might not be covered by a standard home insurance policy if the damage is a result of general wear and tear – for example, if water enters your home through a poorly maintained roof. For this type of claim, you'll need accidental damage cover. While this is included in some policies, it's more often sold as an optional extra. 

Storms can also lead to floods, causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage to homes. Fortunately, flood cover is also a standard part of buildings insurance and is widely available for most properties – even in areas deemed to be of high flood risk. A typical policy should cover damage caused by floodwater entering your home from an external source, such as heavy rainfall, storms and high tide, or a river bursting its banks. 

Insurers will generally pay for cleaning up and repairing your property, as well as temporary accommodation if your home has been made uninhabitable. If you also have contents insurance, your possessions will be covered.

But again, watch out for exclusions. Many insurers won't cover damage caused by groundwater flooding. Some policies also exclude damage to certain parts of your property, such as its outbuildings or fences.

• Find out more: does home insurance cover flooding?

Car insurance

Snow, ice, storms and heavy rainfall can cause severe damage to your car, including engine failure, malfunctioning brakes, broken lights and rust.

Make sure you check your policy documents carefully before making a claim. Most comprehensive motor insurance policies should cover the cost of repairing or replacing vehicles damaged by bad weather, but drivers with a basic third-party or third-party, fire and theft policy are unlikely to be offered any protection.

Cover usually includes damage to upholstery and the vehicle's entertainment system, but the insurer may not pay out for personal possessions left in the vehicle. Don't panic if that's the case – you might be protected by 'contents outside the home’ cover as part of your contents insurance policy. Damaged mobile phones, laptops and tablets could also be covered by gadget insurance.

Even if your policy does cover weather-related damage, insurers may not pay out if they feel you haven't taken steps to keep the car safe – for example, you drove recklessly in a snow storm or deliberately drove through flood water.

Also be aware of any weather warnings in place. Driving during a red weather alert doesn't mean you can't make a claim for damage, but it could invalidate your policy if the insurer decides you didn't follow advice on travelling, such as sticking to a lower speed limit.

• Find out more: best car insurance companies

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Travel insurance

Snow and ice across Scotland, England and Wales on 19 November has caused widespread disruption to transport, with roads blocked, trains cancelled and flights delayed.

You may already be covered by your existing travel insurance policy, if you have one. Read the terms of your policy carefully to check if travel disruption cover is included – some providers include it automatically, but others ask you to pay extra for it.

UK trips longer than a couple of nights and further than 25 miles are covered by most travel insurance policies, but disruption must have been caused by an event outside your control, which you were not aware of when you booked your holiday. 

Your insurer may offer alternative means of transport or accommodation. If you have to make your own emergency travel or hotel arrangements, keep all the receipts. You may not be able to claim costs back without evidence.

• Find out more: travel insurance explained

What should you do if affected?

Get in touch with your provider as soon as possible. Your insurer can make any emergency payments needed, arrange any temporary emergency accommodation and organise necessary repairs. Most insurers have 24-hour emergency helplines.

If you have to arrange emergency repairs yourself, tell your insurer and keep any receipts, as this will form part of your claim. Don't throw away damaged items, unless they are a danger to health, as these may be able to be repaired or restored. 

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