Storm Insurance
Are flat roofs insured for Storm Damage?
Flat roofs are covered for storm damage insurance. However, it is often contested by insurers due the lack on maintenance of the flat roofs. Quite commonly, flat roofs are not maintained and as a result there can be a lot of damage to flat roofs in the event of high winds. If the flat roofs are maintained, then the insurer should deal with your claim in the same way they would with any other part of the building that has suffered any damage.
Example Common Flat Roof Maintenance Condition
It is a Condition Precedent to the liability of the Insurer under this Section(s) that: A all areas of flat felted roofs are inspected at least every year by a qualified builder or property surveyor and all defects; and B a record of all inspections is made and retained by the Insured and is to be available for inspection by the Insurer if they so require. All losses to the flat roof area or resulting from or attributed to the flat roof area are subject to a policy excess of £500 in respect of each and every loss.
Top Tip – Make sure you retain a copy of your roof inspections. This is one of the most common ways insurers look to decline claims after storm damage to flat roofs. You may have had your roof inspected as per the policy condition, but are unable to prove that and therefore unable to prove the roof was in good condition prior to any storm damage. As soon a there is storm damage, make sure you have your proof ready to show a Loss Adjuster when they inspect the damage – if you don’t have it to hand, make sure you inform the loss adjuster and present it to insurers once you have it. The key is, be aware of this condition. Scratching your head or saying you don’t have a record when an Adjuster asks for proof, is an automatic Red Flag to insurers!
Storm Insurance is a standard peril insured on a Property Owners Policy. Make sure you check your Schedule carefully so that it is definitely covered and not an exclusion – which can be the case with extremely storm prone parts of the UK. In some cases you may find there is a large storm excess – again check this carefully as in some cases the excess may be so high, it may not be even worth it.
If you would like to discuss Storm Insurance for your Property give us a call on 0800 085 3761 to discuss your options.
Storm Insurance is a standard peril insured on a Property Owners Policy. Make sure you check your Schedule carefully so that it is definitely covered and not an exclusion – which can be the case with extremely storm prone parts of the UK. In some cases you may find there is a large storm excess – again check this carefully as in some cases the excess may be so high, it may not be even worth it.
