Storm damage to your roof: what to do and how to claim

Last updated 27 October 2026

When a storm comes up the valley, it’s usually slipped slates, loose ridge tiles and lifted flashing that let the rain in. Here is what to do, and how to give an insurance claim the best chance.

In the first hour

• Stay safe: don’t go on the roof or up a ladder in wind or rain, and keep clear of loose slates on the ground
• Catch drips, move belongings, and turn off electrics in any room where water is near lights or sockets
• Keep people out of rooms with bulging or cracked ceilings
• Photograph the damage inside, and outside from the ground, with the date and time
• Send an urgent roof repair request so the roof can be made watertight

What home insurance usually covers

Most buildings policies cover sudden damage from a storm, such as slates or ridges blown off, or a chimney pot falling. They don’t usually cover wear and tear: rusted nails, perished felt, moss-blocked gutters or a roof that was already failing. Insurers often send someone to check which it was.

Evidence insurers ask for

• Photos and videos of the damage before anything is moved or repaired
• The date of the storm (the Met Office keeps records of named storms and wind speeds)
• A written report from the roofer saying what was damaged and what likely caused it
• Invoices for any emergency work, such as a tarp
• A quote for the permanent repair

Watch out for storm chasers

After big storms, people knock on doors offering cheap repairs, then ask for cash up front or find “extra” damage once they’re on the roof. Don’t agree to work on the doorstep, and don’t pay in full before the work is done. Use a local roofer who gives a written quote and can be found again if something goes wrong.

Not covered?

If the insurer says the damage was wear and tear, ask for the reason in writing. You can complain to the insurer and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service. It may also be a sign the roof needs more than a patch: see repair or replace?

More guides

• Should you repair or replace your roof?
• EPDM vs GRP vs felt: which flat roof is best?
• Do you need planning permission for a new roof in Merthyr Tydfil?