"Simple tasks such as making sure gutters and drains are checked and clear of leaves or debris can make a significant difference. If cold weather is on the way, it can be useful to lag external water pipes to prevent frozen burst pipes."
- Darren Bee - Lansdown
Figures released by property insurance broker, Lansdown Insurance Brokers, have revealed that storm damage to property was the cause of over a quarter of claims for their residential property clients in 2023. This may well increase in 2024, especially given recent weather events and the increasing frequency of named storms.
Storm damage to property, including roof damage owing to high winds, or water ingress due to flooding is frequently costly. The average cost per claim for storm damage to property for Lansdown clients last year came in at around £3,000 and 27 of 94 claims resulted from storms.
Darren Bee, Associate Director at Lansdown said: "The series of severe storms we have experienced so far this winter have resulted in a record number of claims for our clients. The most frequent storm damage claims we have had are for repairs to roofs, both flat and tiled and damage to outside structures including sheds and garages.
"Regular property maintenance checks can ensure homes are weather-proof and protected from the effects of high winds, heavy rain and hail or snow. Simple tasks such as making sure gutters and drains are checked and clear of leaves or debris can make a significant difference. If cold weather is on the way, it can be useful to lag external water pipes to prevent frozen burst pipes.
"Regular inspections of the roof to see if there are any slipped or loose tiles can help keep your house secure and watertight along with regularly servicing boiler and heating systems to ensure they are in good working order.
"These are just a few proactive steps that can prevent disasters. Regular maintenance safeguards homes and plays a crucial role in minimising the risk of adverse weather events. By taking these simple steps, property owners not only protect their investments but also contribute to the overall resilience of our communities, reducing the frequency of insurance claims and ensuring a safer, more secure living environment for everyone."
With the trend for winter storms becoming increasingly frequent and severe, their impact on house and flat owners both emotionally and financially cannot be underestimated. This data from Lansdown highlights the ever-increasing need for owners of both houses and flats to have effective property cover in place in order to ensure protection against commonly occurring events which can have a significant impact, both financially and emotionally.
Only claims caused by burst pipes and water leaks (referred to as "Escape of water") were more frequently claimed for events in both houses and flats for Lansdown clients than storm damage in 2023.
Owners of properties insured through Lansdown benefit from the experience and commitment to their customers of the team.
Darren concludes: "We recently received an email from one of our overseas clients saying that a storm had damaged his property's roof, causing water to enter the property. We knew more storms were forecast so in order to prevent further damage to the property our claims team quickly contacted the insurer to report the claim. With hard work and constant communication with the insurer and our client, this claim was settled swiftly.
"Our client was extremely grateful for us advocating on their behalf and always providing helpful advice."
