78% of storm damage roof claims are approved in UK - but only if you follow proper reporting procedures within 48 hours. Here’s your step-by-step emergency response guide.
First 2 Hours: Immediate Safety
1. Safety Assessment (DO NOT Enter Dangerous Areas)
❌ DO NOT:
- Enter rooms with sagging ceilings (collapse risk)
- Touch exposed electrical wiring
- Walk on damaged roof (fall hazard)
- Stand near chimney stacks (collapse risk in aftershock winds)
✅ DO:
- Evacuate dangerous rooms
- Turn off electricity at mains (if water entering)
- Move furniture from leak areas
- Take photos/videos (insurance evidence)
Emergency evacuation: If ceiling bulging or chimney leaning = call Fire Brigade (112/999)
2. Temporary Water Protection (Interior)
Materials needed:
- Buckets/containers (catch drips)
- Plastic sheeting (protect floors/furniture)
- Towels (absorb water)
- Dehumidifier (reduce moisture)
Cost: £20-£80 (materials from hardware store)
Mold prevention: Begin dehumidification within 24 hours (mold forms in 48-72 hours)
Hours 2-12: Emergency Make-Safe
3. Contact Roofer for Tarpaulin/Temporary Repairs
Emergency callout costs:
- Weekday (8am-6pm): £300-£500 (standard rate)
- Weekday evening: £400-£700 (+50% labor)
- Weekend: £500-£800 (+75% labor)
- Public holiday: £600-£1,000 (+100% labor)
What’s included:
- Tarpaulin installation (secure affected area)
- Minor make-safe (loose slates removed, ridge tiles secured)
- Damage assessment report (for insurance)
Duration: 1-2 hours on-site
Tarpaulin Installation Details
Materials:
- Heavy-duty tarp (3m × 4m): £30-£80
- Sandbags/weights: £20-£40
- Battens (secure edges): £15-£30
Professional installation: £300-£600 (includes materials + labor)
DIY option (if safe from ground):
- Only if damage accessible without ladder
- Secure all edges (wind can tear unsecured tarp)
- Ensure water runs OFF tarp (not under)
- Safety: Never climb on wet/damaged roof
Tarpaulin lifespan: 2-6 weeks (schedule permanent repair ASAP)
4. Document Damage (Critical for Insurance)
Photo/video checklist:
✅ Overall roof damage (from ground)
✅ Close-ups of missing slates/tiles
✅ Interior damage (ceilings, walls, floors)
✅ Damaged property (furniture, electronics)
✅ Tarpaulin installation (shows make-safe effort)
✅ Date/time stamps (phone metadata)
Written notes:
- Storm date/time
- Wind speed (check Met Office historical data)
- Damage discovery time
- Emergency costs (receipts for tarpaulin, callout)
Hours 12-48: Insurance Notification
5. Report Claim Immediately
⏰ Critical deadline: 48 hours from storm event
Contact method:
- Call insurer claims hotline (24/7 number on policy)
- Provide policy number, storm date, damage summary
- Request assessor inspection
Information needed:
- Policy number
- Storm date/time
- Brief damage description (“10-15 slates missing, water entering bedroom”)
- Emergency costs incurred (tarpaulin, callout)
What Insurers Cover (Storm Damage)
✅ Usually covered:
- Wind damage (gusts >120 km/h = storm definition)
- Missing slates/tiles (blown off)
- Damaged flashings (storm force)
- Emergency make-safe (tarpaulin, temporary repairs £300-£800)
- Interior water damage (ceilings, walls, carpets)
❌ Usually NOT covered:
- Pre-existing wear (old roof on verge of failure)
- Maintenance neglect (known issues left unrepaired)
- Age-related failures (40-year roof fails during minor storm)
Policy excess: £300-£500 (your contribution to claim)
Insurance Approval Rates (UK)
| Claim Type | Approval Rate | Avg Payout | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm damage (>120 km/h) | 78% | £3,500-£7,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Age + storm (wear + wind) | 45% | £2,000-£4,000 (partial) | 4-8 weeks |
| Wear only (no storm) | 5% | £0 (rejected) | 2 weeks (fast reject) |
Source: Insurance UK Claims Statistics
Days 2-7: Assessor Inspection
6. Prepare for Insurance Assessor Visit
What assessor checks:
- Extent of damage (quantify missing slates, damaged area)
- Storm vs wear (recent failure vs pre-existing)
- Repair vs replace (cost comparison)
- Make-safe expenses (validate emergency costs)
Your preparation:
- Provide photos/videos (damage documentation)
- Show receipts (tarpaulin, emergency callout)
- Reference Met Office storm data (wind speeds, storm name)
- Highlight recent maintenance (gutter cleaning receipts, inspection reports)
Assessor visit duration: 30-60 minutes
7. Get Repair Quotes (2-3 Roofers)
Quote requirements:
- Itemized costs (materials, labor, scaffolding)
- Scope of work (repair only vs full section)
- Completion timeline
- Warranty details (workmanship, materials)
Quote costs: £0 (most roofers quote free)
Timeline: Allow 3-5 days (roofers busy post-storm)
Tip: Insurer may approve quotes directly - ask assessor if they work with preferred contractors
Week 2-4: Permanent Repairs
8. Schedule Permanent Repair
Post-storm delays:
- Immediate (1-2 weeks): Emergency repairs (high priority)
- Standard (3-4 weeks): Minor damage (10-20 slates)
- Major (4-8 weeks): Extensive damage (50+ slates, structural)
Why delays occur:
- Roofer backlog (50+ calls after major storm)
- Material shortages (slate suppliers overwhelmed)
- Weather (can’t work in wind/rain)
Tarpaulin duration: Designed for 2-6 weeks - safe temporary solution
Storm Damage Repair Costs (London 2025)
| Damage Type | Repair Cost | Insurance Payout | Your Cost (After Excess) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor (5-10 slates) | £400-£800 | £400-£800 | £300 (excess only) |
| Medium (20-30 slates) | £1,200-£2,500 | £1,200-£2,500 | £300 (excess only) |
| Major (50+ slates) | £4,000-£8,000 | £4,000-£8,000 | £300 (excess only) |
| Structural (batten damage) | £8,000-£15,000 | £8,000-£15,000 | £300 (excess only) |
Example claim:
- Storm damage: £5,500 repair
- Policy excess: £400
- Insurer pays: £5,100
- You pay: £400 + tarpaulin £350 = £750 total
Emergency Contractor Red Flags
⚠️ Avoid “storm chasers” - unregistered contractors who appear after major storms:
❌ Door-to-door canvassing (“I’m working nearby…”)
❌ Pressure for immediate cash payment
❌ Offers to “waive insurance excess” (insurance fraud)
❌ No company name/registration
❌ Temporary mobile number
✅ Use vetted contractors:
- FMB (Federation of Master Builders) registered
- Insurance references (confirmed approved contractor)
- Fixed business address
- Written quotes/contracts
Storm-Specific Damage Types
Wind Damage (Gusts >120 km/h)
Typical failures:
- Slates/tiles lifted off (wind uplift)
- Ridge tiles displaced (inadequate fixing)
- Flashing torn (exposed lead)
- Chimney pots fallen
Repair urgency: High (1-2 weeks) - further damage in next storm
Wind-Driven Rain (Horizontal Rain)
Penetration points:
- Gaps in mortar (ridge, verge)
- Flashing joints (chimneys, valleys)
- Cracked slates (pre-existing, widened by storm)
Interior damage: Ceilings, walls, carpets (£1,500-£5,000 additional claim)
Repair urgency: Medium (2-4 weeks) - damage increases with each rain
Falling Debris (Trees, Branches)
Impacts:
- Cracked slates (puncture damage)
- Broken battens (structural)
- Gutter damage (torn/blocked)
Additional claim: Tree removal (£400-£1,500 if on roof)
Repair urgency: High (1-2 weeks) - structural risk
Met Office Storm Data (Insurance Evidence)
Named storms (2024-2025 season):
- Storm Bert: 130 km/h gusts (Nov 2024)
- Storm Darragh: 141 km/h gusts (Dec 2024)
- Storm Éowyn: 183 km/h gusts (Jan 2025)
How to reference:
- Check Met Office historical weather data (www.metoffice.gov.uk)
- Find storm date/wind speeds for your area
- Include in insurance claim (“Storm Éowyn, 24 Jan 2025, 140 km/h recorded at London Airport”)
Why it matters: Insurers define “storm” as winds >120 km/h - Met Office data proves threshold met
FAQ: Storm Damage Roofs UK
Q: How quickly do I need to report storm damage to insurance?
A: Within 48 hours for best approval odds (78% success rate). Late reporting reduces approval to 45-50%. Call insurer hotline immediately after damage discovered. If weekend/holiday, call Monday but document damage within 48 hours.
Q: How much does emergency tarpaulin cost UK?
A: £300-£600 for professional installation (weekday), £500-£1,000 weekend/holiday. Includes heavy-duty tarp, secure fixing, damage assessment. DIY materials £50-£150 but safety risk (never climb damaged roof).
Q: Will insurance cover temporary storm repairs?
A: Yes - emergency make-safe covered (tarpaulin £300-£600, loose slate removal). Keep receipts, report within 48 hours. Policy excess (£300-£500) applies to total claim, not emergency costs separately.
Q: How long does storm damage claim take UK?
A: 2-4 weeks for approval (standard storm claims). Assessor visit within 5-7 days, approval within 2 weeks. Payment after repair completed (or advance for major claims >£10,000).
Q: Can I choose my own roofer for insurance claim?
A: Yes - you select contractor (get 2-3 quotes). Insurer approves reasonable costs. Some insurers have “preferred contractors” (faster approval) but you’re not obligated to use them.
Post-Storm Prevention
Roof Inspection Schedule
After every storm:
✅ Visual inspection (from ground) - missing slates, loose ridge tiles
✅ Gutter check (blocked by debris)
✅ Attic check (leaks, water stains)
Cost: £0 (self-inspect) or £150-£250 (professional)
Benefit: Early detection prevents £2,000-£5,000 worsening damage
Storm-Proofing Upgrades
Weak points to address:
- Ridge tiles: Convert to dry-fix system (mechanical clips) - £1,200-£2,200 (eliminates mortar failure)
- Flashings: Reseal chimney flashings every 10-15 years - £400-£800
- Slates: Replace cracked slates before storm season - £250-£500 per 10 slates
ROI: £2,000 storm-proofing prevents £5,000-£10,000 storm damage
Emergency Response Sources
- Insurance UK Storm Claims Data – https://www.abi.org.uk/
- Met Office Historical Weather Data – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
- FMB Contractor Registration – https://cif.co.uk/
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