Does your insurance cover damage caused by bad weather conditions?

Temperatures will drop this week, with warnings for snow and ice in several parts of the UK. What costs will your insurer cover if you are affected by a cold?

Freezing weather can cause pipes in homes to burst, cars to break down, accidents on the roads and even planes to crash. But other extreme weather events, such as storms and even heat waves, can also cause major damage and disruption.

Here, Which? It explains which damages your insurance can cover due to weather conditions.

Does insurance cover extreme weather conditions?

Storms, heavy rains and heatwaves are becoming more common as a result of climate change, according to the Met Office.

An increase in extreme weather events means an increased risk of property damage and travel disruption.

The latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows claims for damage to homes caused by storms, heavy rain and frozen pipes reached £136 million in July-September 2024, up 6% on the previous year.

home insurance

Your home insurance policy should cover you against sudden, unforeseen events such as bad weather and storms.

Your building’s insurance should cover damage caused by hail, wind, rain, snow or ice. This includes broken roofs, frozen pipes, downed trees, and loss of power.

As always, there are a few caveats. If the damage is a result of general wear and tear, for example water entering your home through a poorly maintained roof, you may not be covered by a standard home insurance policy. You will need accidental damage coverage for these types of claims. Although this is included in some policies, it is more often sold as an optional extra.

Storms can also cause flooding, causing thousands of dollars in damage to homes. Fortunately, flood cover is also a standard part of buildings insurance and is widely available for most properties, even in areas considered to be at high risk of flooding. A typical policy should cover damage caused by floodwater entering your home from an outside source, such as heavy rainfall, storms and tides, or a river bursting its banks.

Insurers will usually pay for the cleaning and repair of your property, as well as the cost of temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable. If you have contents insurance, your belongings will be covered by insurance.

However, beware of exceptions. Many insurance companies will not cover damage caused by groundwater floods. Some policies also don’t cover damage to certain parts of your property, such as outbuildings or fences.

• Learn more: Does home insurance cover floods?

car insurance

Snow, ice, storms and heavy rainfall can cause serious damage to your vehicle, including engine failure, faulty brakes, broken headlights and rust.

Make sure you check your policy documents carefully before making a claim. Most comprehensive motor insurance policies should cover the cost of repairing or replacing vehicles damaged by bad weather, but motorists with a basic third-party or third-party fire and theft policy are unlikely to be offered any protection.

Coverage usually covers damage to upholstery and the vehicle’s entertainment system, but the insurance company may not pay for personal items left in the vehicle. If this is the case, don’t panic; You may be protected by ‘contents outside the home’ cover as part of your contents insurance policy. Damaged mobile phones, laptops and tablets may also be covered by gadget insurance.

Even if your policy covers damage caused by weather conditions, insurers may not pay if they think you haven’t taken the necessary steps to keep your vehicle safe; For example, you drove recklessly during a snowstorm or deliberately drove through floodwater.

Also pay attention to current weather warnings. Driving during a red weather warning doesn’t mean you can’t make a claim, but your policy could be void if the insurer decides you didn’t follow travel advice, such as sticking to a lower speed limit.

• Learn more: best car insurance companies

travel insurance

Snow and ice caused widespread disruption to transport in Scotland, England and Wales on 19 November, with roads closed, trains canceled and flights delayed.

If applicable, it may already be covered by your existing travel insurance policy. Read the terms of your policy carefully to check whether trip interruption cover is included; Some providers add this coverage automatically, while others require you to pay extra for it.

UK trips of more than a few nights and more than 25 miles are covered by most travel insurance policies, but the interruption must be caused by an event beyond your control that you were not aware of when you booked your holiday.

Your insurer may offer alternative means of transportation or accommodation. If you need to make your own emergency travel or hotel arrangements, keep all receipts. Without proof you may not be able to claim back costs.

• Learn more: travel insurance explained

What should you do if you are affected?

Contact your provider as soon as possible. Your insurer can make any emergency payments needed, arrange temporary emergency accommodation and organize any necessary repairs. Most insurance companies have 24-hour emergency help lines.

If you need to arrange emergency repairs yourself, notify your insurer and keep all receipts as this will form part of your claim. Do not throw away damaged items unless they pose a health hazard, as they can be repaired or restored.

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