By Chris, owner of Everlast Roofing North West (20+ years on Merseyside roofs) · About Everlast Roofing · Last updated 2026-10-12
Summary
Does home insurance cover storm damage? Yes, most buildings insurance covers sudden damage caused by a storm, such as slates or ridge tiles blown off in a gale. What it will not cover is damage that was already there or building up slowly: wear and tear, nail sickness, crumbling ridge mortar, moss-blocked gutters, an old flat roof that finally gave way, fences and garden walls on many policies, and anything outside the policy’s storm definition. Over Christmas, empty-home rules, late reporting and an excess higher than the repair catch people out too. We make roofs watertight across Liverpool and Merseyside over the festive period and give you dated photos and a written itemised quote to support your claim.
From Chris, the owner
Before you leave home for Christmas, take ten dated photos of your roof from the street and the back garden, plus one of the loft with a torch. If a storm hits while you are away, those photos show the insurer exactly what the roof looked like beforehand, and that is the evidence that settles most wear and tear arguments in your favour.
Christmas storms arrive when most people are least ready. Families are away, roofers are on holiday and insurers are flooded with calls on the same few days. Our emergency roof repairs in Liverpool carry on through the festive period, and every winter we meet homeowners who are surprised by what their policy will and will not pay for.
Knowing the exclusions before the wind gets up is the best protection you have. Most refused claims come down to a handful of reasons, and nearly all of them can be avoided with a little preparation in the autumn and quick action on the day. If your roof has been damaged right now, call Chris on 07933 828 045.
Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage To Liverpool Roofs?
Most buildings insurance policies cover storm damage, and the roof is usually the part of a Liverpool home that takes the hit. If a gale lifts slates off a Victorian terrace, cracks ridge tiles on a 1930s semi in Allerton or strips the felt from an extension, storm damage insurance is there to pay for the repair and any damage to ceilings and plaster inside. The key word in every policy is sudden. Insurers pay for damage caused by one weather event, not for a roof that has been getting worse for years and finally gave way when the wind arrived.
Storm claims are rising. The Association of British Insurers reported that storm damage claims to homes reached £244 million in 2025, up by almost a third, with the average storm payout at £2,450. With so many claims coming in after each storm, insurers check carefully, and that is when the gaps in cover appear.
What storm damage home insurance usually covers
- Slates, tiles and ridge tiles blown off or broken by high winds.
- Lead flashing lifted or torn away around chimneys and walls.
- Damage from falling objects such as a chimney pot, aerial or tree branch.
- Rain getting in through fresh storm damage, including stained ceilings and wet insulation.
- Reasonable emergency repairs to stop more water getting in, such as a tarpaulin cover.
When a claim is disputed, the Financial Ombudsman Service asks three questions: were there storm conditions on or around the date of the damage, is the damage consistent with what a storm causes, and were the storm conditions the main cause. Every common exclusion, from wear and tear to fences, comes back to one of those three questions, and a roofer’s photos and notes can answer all of them.
Roof giving you grief?
Get Chris on the phone, no obligation
Free survey. Written itemised quote. Fair deposit, balance on completion. Chris picks up the phone himself and comes out himself, ladder and camera in hand, to show you what is actually wrong with the roof. If it is a repair, he will tell you. If it is a re-roof, he will show you why in the photos.
Or call Chris directly: 07933 828 045
What Counts As Storm Damage For Home Insurance In Merseyside
Many home insurance policies define a storm using fixed weather measurements. A strong wind on Christmas Eve may feel violent in Crosby or Wallasey, but if the gusts at the nearest weather station stayed below the policy threshold, the insurer may say it was not a storm at all. Policy wording varies, so read yours, but a common definition looks like this.
| Type of storm | Typical policy measurement | What it means for your roof |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | Gusts of at least 48 knots (55mph) | Slipped slates in a 40mph breeze are usually treated as wear and tear |
| Rain | At least 25mm of rain in an hour | Steady rain getting through old gaps is not a storm claim |
| Snow | At least 30cm of snow in 24 hours | Rare in Liverpool, so snow claims are uncommon here |
| Hail | Hail that damages hard surfaces or breaks glass | Cracked rooflights and roof windows can qualify |
The Financial Ombudsman does not insist on a fixed wind speed and looks at all the weather evidence, but insurers do check local records. Coastal parts of Sefton and the Wirral often see stronger gusts than central Liverpool during the same storm. A Met Office named storm is a good sign, yet it does not guarantee storm conditions at your address. When Storm Darragh brought amber warnings to western coasts on 6 and 7 December 2024, the Merseyside derby was postponed, but conditions still varied from street to street.
The practical answer is to report the date and time the damage happened as accurately as you can. A note of when you first heard slates hitting the yard, or a photo taken that night, links the damage to the storm and helps the insurer match it to the weather records.
What Home Insurance Won’t Cover After A Christmas Storm In Liverpool
Most refused storm claims fall into the same few categories. These are the exclusions we see most often on Liverpool and Merseyside homes over the winter, with the reason insurers give and what we can do about each one when we visit.
| What insurance won’t cover | Why insurers refuse | What we can do |
|---|---|---|
| Wear and tear | The roof was failing before the storm | Separate fresh storm damage from old defects in our photos and notes |
| Poor maintenance | Blocked gutters, moss or loose mortar left for years | Repair the defect so future claims are not affected |
| Gradual leaks | Water staining that built up over months | Find the real entry point and fix it at the source |
| Fences, gates and walls | Excluded from storm cover on many policies | Repair the roof side; check your policy for the rest |
| Old flat roofs | Felt that was already split or ponding | Show the condition honestly and quote a lasting fix |
| Damage below the excess | The repair costs less than the excess | Give you a written price so you can decide |
| Empty homes | Unoccupancy rules after a set number of days | Make the roof safe while you are away |
Fences are the exclusion that catches most people out after a Christmas storm. Many policies leave fences, gates, hedges and garden walls out of storm cover completely, even though they are often the first things to go in a gale. Sheds, aerials and satellite dishes can also be excluded. If a storm damages both your roof and your fence, the roof claim may be paid while the fence is not.
Damp and leaks are the other common refusal. If water has been getting in slowly through a cracked slate or tired lead flashing, the stain on the ceiling looks like storm damage, but the insurer will treat it as gradual. We trace leaks back to the real entry point and note whether the damage is fresh or long-standing, so you know where you stand before you call the insurer.
“Brilliant and quick work done by Everlast roofing. Photos before and after which really helped as I’ve been let down by a few roofers now which these had to sort. Highly recommend”
Chloe Hodgson · Homeowner, Merseyside (Google review)
Wear And Tear Roof Insurance Exclusions On Victorian Slate Roofs In Liverpool
Wear and tear is the most common reason a storm damage insurance claim is refused, and Liverpool’s older housing makes it a regular issue. Thousands of Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Anfield, Walton, Kensington, Wavertree and Aigburth still have their original Welsh slate, fixed with iron nails that rust over 100 years or more. This is known as nail sickness. Once the nails fail, slates slide out of line in ordinary weather, and when a storm finishes the job, the insurer can argue the roof was already failing.
The good news is that a roofer can usually tell fresh storm damage from long-term wear, and the difference shows up clearly in photos. The Financial Ombudsman has also made clear that it is up to the insurer to show that an exclusion applies, and that a roof not being in perfect condition does not automatically make the damage wear and tear.
| Fresh storm damage | Wear and tear |
|---|---|
| Clean, sharp breaks on slates and tiles | Worn, rounded edges and old cracks with dirt in them |
| Bright, unweathered nail holes and battens | Rusted nails, rotten battens and old tingles (lead clips) |
| Debris in the gutter or yard after the storm | Slates that have been slipping for months |
| Damage on the side facing the wind | Problems spread evenly across the whole roof |
| Ridge tiles lifted with mortar still attached | Ridge mortar crumbling or already missing |
Moss is the other trap. Thick moss holds water against slates and tiles, blocks gutters and gives insurers an easy argument about poor maintenance. Removing moss and repointing a tired ridge before winter is far cheaper than a refused claim. If your roof has had repeated slipped slates, our slate and tile roofing team in Liverpool can tell you honestly whether repairs will hold or whether a section needs re-slating.
Flat Roofs, Gutters And Fences: Storm Damage Insurance Gaps In Liverpool
Flat roofs on extensions, garages and dormers are a common source of refused claims across Merseyside. Felt roofs from the 1980s and 1990s often split, blister and hold puddles long before a storm arrives. The Financial Ombudsman has said it is unlikely to support a complaint where a flat roof was already in a poor state and the storm simply showed up the existing problem. If your flat roof is more than 15 to 20 years old, a check before winter is worth far more than the cost.
Insurers also ask what share of your roof is flat when you take out a policy, and some apply extra conditions. Our guide to flat roof home insurance in Merseyside covers those percentage limits and how storm claims work on flat roofs.
Storm insurance gaps to check on your policy
- Gutters and downpipes: overflowing gutters are usually treated as poor maintenance, not storm damage.
- Fences, gates and hedges: often excluded from storm cover altogether.
- Outbuildings and sheds: may need to be listed or may have lower limits.
- Aerials and satellite dishes: frequently excluded from storm damage.
- Unfinished building work: a roof left open during an extension is rarely covered.
Gutters deserve a special mention in November and December. Leaves from autumn block gutters just as the wettest weeks of the year arrive, and water spilling down walls can soak brickwork and get into the edge of the roof. A blocked gutter is almost never accepted as storm damage, so a clear-out before Christmas protects both your home and any future claim.
Christmas Storm Damage Claims In Liverpool: Empty Homes, Excess And Time Limits
Christmas brings its own insurance risks. Many Liverpool families travel to relatives for the holidays, and a storm can cause damage that goes unnoticed for days. Most policies limit or exclude cover if a home is left unoccupied for a set period, commonly between 30 and 60 days in a row, and some ask you to turn off the water or have someone check the house while you are away. A week at your parents’ over Christmas is normally fine, but it is worth checking the wording, especially for second homes or a property between tenants.
Reporting late is the next risk. There is no fixed legal deadline for a storm claim, but insurers expect you to report damage as soon as you reasonably can, and a delay gives them room to argue that more of the damage came from water getting in over time. Ring your insurer or log the claim online quickly, even if a roofer cannot get to you until after Boxing Day.
If a storm damages your roof over Christmas
- Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe and keep away from loose slates, chimneys and fallen cables.
- Step 2: Take dated photos of the damage outside and any water inside.
- Step 3: Contain leaks with buckets and towels and keep water away from electrics.
- Step 4: Report the claim to your insurer and note the reference number.
- Step 5: Book an emergency cover so the roof is watertight, and keep the receipt.
- Step 6: Ask for a written itemised quote for the permanent repair.
Your excess decides whether a claim is worth making at all. The compulsory excess on many buildings policies is around £100, and any voluntary excess you chose is added on top. If replacing a few slipped slates costs £180 to £400, the amount you recover after the excess may be small, and a claim can raise your premium for years. We always give you the repair price in writing first, so you can make that decision with the numbers in front of you.
How We Help With A Storm Damage Roof Insurance Claim In Liverpool
When a storm damages your roof, our job is to stop the water first and then give you the evidence your insurer needs. We answer the phone ourselves over Christmas, make the roof safe and watertight, and photograph everything before and after we touch it. Those photos, taken by a roofer on the day, are often the strongest part of a storm damage roof insurance claim.
| Storm repair | Typical Liverpool price | Claim or pay? |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency tarpaulin cover | £150 to £350 | Usually claimable as an emergency repair |
| Replace a few slipped slates | £180 to £400 | Often close to the excess, so paying may be better |
| Re-bed a lifted ridge | £200 to £500 | Borderline, depends on your excess |
| Renew chimney lead flashing | £300 to £700 | Worth considering a claim |
| Re-slate a storm-stripped section | £600 to £1,500 | Usually worth claiming |
You do not have to use the insurer’s own contractor in most cases, and you are entitled to get your own quote. Our written itemised quotes list scaffolding, materials, labour and VAT separately, which is the format loss adjusters work with. For the full claim process from first call to payout, read our storm damage insurance claim playbook, which also covers what to do if a claim is refused.
If your insurer refuses a claim and you believe the storm was the main cause, ask for the refusal in writing, complain to the insurer first, and if you are still unhappy after eight weeks you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Our photos and written notes on the cause of the damage can support that complaint.
Preventing Storm Damage Insurance Refusals With A Roof Inspection In Liverpool
The best way to avoid a wear and tear refusal is to show that your roof was looked after before the storm. A professional roof inspection in the autumn gives you a dated record of the roof’s condition, and any small faults it finds can be fixed for a fraction of the cost of storm damage. Insurers expect homeowners to take reasonable care of their property, and a recent inspection report is clear proof that you did.
We carry out free surveys across Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and the Wirral, with photos of every part of the roof and a written itemised quote for anything that needs doing. Book a roof inspection in Liverpool in October or November and you go into the Christmas storms with a sound roof and a clear record. If a storm has already done damage, our storm damage repair guide for Merseyside shows what to do first and what each repair costs.
Pre-winter jobs that protect your storm damage insurance
- Replace any slipped, cracked or missing slates before the first gales.
- Repoint or re-bed loose ridge tiles while the weather is still mild enough for mortar.
- Clear gutters and downpipes after the leaves have fallen.
- Check chimney lead flashing and flaunching for gaps and cracks.
- Remove heavy moss from slates and tiles.
- Keep the dated photos and invoices with your insurance documents.
Every job comes with photos, a written itemised quote before work starts, a fair deposit and the balance on completion. Call Chris on 07933 828 045 to book a survey or to report storm damage at any time over Christmas.
Book a free roof survey
Book A Pre-Winter Roof Survey Before The Christmas Storms
A dated survey with photos before the storms shows your roof was looked after, which is exactly what an insurer asks about after a claim. We cover Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and the Wirral.
- Free survey with photos of what we find
- Written itemised quote before any work starts
- Fair deposit, balance on completion
- Workmanship guarantee of up to 20 years and full public liability insurance
Book your free survey → or call 07933 828 045
Storm Repairs And Roof Work By Our Liverpool Roofers
Recent slate, tile and re-roofing jobs from our team across Merseyside, each one recorded with photos for the homeowner.
Your Christmas Storm Damage Insurance Checklist
- Read your policy’s storm definition and note any wind speed or rainfall figures.
- Check the unoccupancy rules before leaving the house empty over Christmas.
- Take dated photos of your roof from the street, the garden and the loft.
- Clear gutters and fix slipped slates before the winter storms.
- Report storm damage quickly and keep your claim reference number.
- Keep receipts for emergency repairs such as a tarpaulin cover.
- Get a written itemised quote and compare it with your excess before claiming.
Related roofing services and areas
Our services
Areas we cover
Everlast Roofing North West
Honest advice, fair price, balance on completion
Twenty years on the roofs of Merseyside. Chris quotes the job and Chris runs the job, photos every step of the way. If the roof has another ten years in it, we will tell you. If it does not, we will show you why in the pictures and give you a written itemised quote with scaffolding, skip, materials and VAT broken out, the lot. Deposit on booking covers materials, balance on completion.
Or call Chris on 07933 828 045 · office 0151 374 1078
Storm Damage Insurance FAQs For Liverpool Homeowners
Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage?
Yes, most buildings insurance covers sudden damage caused by a storm, such as slates or ridge tiles blown off, lead flashing torn away or a chimney pot falling through the roof. It does not cover wear and tear, poor maintenance, gradual leaks or damage that was already there. Many policies also exclude fences, gates and garden walls from storm cover.
Does Buildings Insurance Cover Roof Repairs?
Buildings insurance covers roof repairs when the damage was caused by an insured event such as a storm, a falling tree or an impact. Routine repairs to an ageing roof, such as replacing slates that slipped because of rusted nails or repointing crumbling ridge mortar, are treated as maintenance and are not covered.
Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
Home insurance usually covers a roof leak caused by sudden storm damage, along with the water damage inside. It does not cover a leak that built up slowly through worn slates, tired lead flashing or blocked gutters. Report a leak quickly and take dated photos, because delay makes it easier for an insurer to call the damage gradual.
Does Home Insurance Cover Wear And Tear On A Roof?
No. Standard home insurance does not cover wear and tear. Nail sickness on Victorian slate roofs, moss, perished felt and crumbling mortar are all treated as wear and tear. If a storm causes fresh damage on an older roof, the insurer should still consider the storm damage, and it is up to them to show that an exclusion applies.
Are Roof Tiles Covered By Building Insurance?
Roof tiles and slates are covered by buildings insurance when a storm or another insured event breaks them or blows them off. Tiles that have cracked with age, slipped over months or been dislodged by moss are not covered. Photos showing clean, fresh breaks and debris after the storm help prove the damage was sudden.
Can I Claim On My Home Insurance For Storm Damage?
You can claim if your policy includes storm cover, the weather met the policy definition of a storm and the storm was the main cause of the damage. Report the claim as soon as possible, take dated photos, make the roof watertight and keep the receipt, then get a written itemised quote for the permanent repair.
Why Won’t Insurance Pay For My Roof Damage?
The most common reasons are wear and tear, poor maintenance, gradual leaks, weather that did not meet the policy storm definition, damage costing less than the excess and late reporting. If you believe the storm was the main cause, complain to your insurer in writing and, after eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
For more local roofing advice, browse the Everlast Roofing blog or call Chris on 07933 828 045.
