Whitstable takes the wind straight off the Thames Estuary, so slipped tiles, lifted ridges and torn flat roof felt are common after a rough night. Whether your insurer pays depends less on the storm itself than on the condition your roof was in beforehand. Here is what buildings insurance usually covers, where claims tend to fail, and what to do in the first few days.
Most buildings policies cover storm damage, but each insurer defines a storm in its own way. Many follow the Association of British Insurers guideline of gusts of around 55mph or more, with some policies also listing heavy rain or snow thresholds. Your insurer will normally check recorded weather data for the area on the date you give, so note the day and rough time the damage happened.
Whitstable's exposed position works in your favour here. Seafront streets, Tankerton slopes and the higher ground towards Chestfield often record strong gusts when inland Kent stays calmer. If the weather records do not show storm conditions, the claim is likely to be declined, however real the damage.
Insurers pay for sudden damage caused by a single event. They do not pay for a roof that was already failing and simply gave way in the wind. This is the most common reason roof claims are refused, and the assessor will look for signs of age such as crumbling mortar, perished felt or rusted fixings.
Flat roofs deserve a careful read of your policy. Some insurers limit or exclude cover for felt flat roofs over a certain age, often around 10 to 15 years, and many ask how much of your roof is flat when you take out the policy.
Do not climb onto the roof. Photograph what you can from the ground and from upstairs windows, including any tiles lying in the garden, and take pictures of interior staining or wet ceilings before you clean up.
Phone your insurer early, as most have a 24 hour claims line and will tell you what they need. You are expected to prevent further damage, so a temporary repair such as a tarpaulin or a few replaced tiles is normally fine without prior approval. Keep the invoice and the damaged materials if it is safe to do so. Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer agrees them or sends a loss adjuster.
A standard buildings excess is often between £100 and £500, and some policies set a higher excess for storm claims. Replacing a handful of slipped tiles around Whitstable typically costs somewhere between £150 and £400, depending on access, roof height and tile type. Rebedding a ridge line or repairing a section of flat roof more often falls between £400 and £1,500, and scaffolding on a three storey seafront terrace can add several hundred pounds.
If the repair costs little more than your excess, paying for it yourself may be the better choice, since a claim can affect your premium and no claims discount at renewal. For larger damage, especially where water has come through to ceilings, plaster or electrics, a claim usually makes sense.
Rarely. Insurers pay to repair the area the storm damaged, and will only fund full replacement if the damage is so widespread that a repair is not practical.
Yes. Ask for the assessor's report, get an independent written report from a roofer, and use the insurer's complaints process, after which you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge.
Check your policy, but report it as soon as you can, ideally within a few days. Delay makes it harder to tie the damage to a specific storm, and some policies set a time limit for notifying them.
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