Storm Damage Roof Repair: Insurance Claims and Next Steps

15 October 2026

Brick house roof with slipped slates and tiles lying on the lawn under a stormy grey sky

Storm damage to a roof is stressful, and the first few hours matter. Your steps in that time affect both the damage and your insurance claim. This article explains what to do, what insurers usually look for and how to pick a roofer without being rushed.

We do not vet or guarantee any roofer. Policies also differ, so read your own wording and ask your insurer if you are unsure.

First, make everyone safe

Stay off the roof, because a wet, damaged roof is dangerous. Keep people and pets away from rooms below any leak. If water is near sockets or light fittings, switch off the power at the fuse board. Call 999 if there is a risk to life.

Move furniture and valuables out of the wet area, and put buckets under drips. Cover what you cannot move. These small steps cost nothing, and they limit the damage while you arrange help.

Record the damage

Take clear photos or video before you move or repair anything, if it is safe to do so. Photograph the roof from the ground, the ceilings and any damaged belongings. Note the date and the weather.

Keep damaged items until your insurer tells you what to do. Photos matter because they show what the storm did, and they help your insurer to judge the claim.

Call your insurer early

Contact your buildings insurer as soon as you can. Many insurers run an emergency line, and they can tell you what they will pay for and whether you must use an approved roofer. Follow the call with a short written summary, and keep a note of who you spoke to.

Ask three questions on the call. What does my policy cover for storm damage? What is my excess? May I arrange urgent temporary repairs myself? Your answers shape what you do next.

What counts as a storm?

Policies define a storm in their own words, so check yours. The Association of British Insurers describes a storm as violent weather, such as gusts of at least 55mph, very heavy rain or heavy snow. Many insurers use a similar wind speed in their wording.

Gradual wear and tear is normally excluded. A roof that failed because it was old is unlikely to be covered, whereas sudden damage from a recorded storm often is. If your claim is refused and you disagree, you can complain to the insurer and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free to use.

Temporary repairs and permanent ones

Insurers generally expect you to stop further damage. A tarpaulin or a temporary patch is reasonable, and you should keep the invoice. However, you should not agree permanent repairs or large bills before your insurer says yes.

Tell your insurer about any urgent work when you report the claim. Some will pay a roofer directly, while others reimburse you. Ask which applies, because it affects how you pay.

Choosing a roofer after a storm

After a storm, strangers may knock on your door and offer cheap repairs. Do not agree to work on the doorstep. Trading Standards warns about this tactic, since the work is often poor or unnecessary.

Instead, get at least two or three written quotes. Ask for ID, proof of insurance and an itemised price that shows materials, scaffolding and waste removal. Check any trade body membership on the body’s own website. Our guide to finding a tradesman you can trust lists every check, and our roof repair cost guide shows typical prices.

What a repair quote should say

A good quote names the cause of the damage and the work to fix it. It lists the materials, the price and the timing. It also says who pays for scaffolding, since scaffolding can add £1,000 to £2,000 to a full re-roof in one price guide.

Send the quote to your insurer before work starts. Keep every receipt and every photo, because you may need them later.

Find a roofer near you

You can send us your roofing job and we will pass it to local roofers, who can quote for the work. See our page on roofers near you for the checks to make first.

south of England: roofers in London, roofers in Brighton, roofers in Portsmouth, roofers in Oxford and roofers in Plymouth.
Midlands and East: roofers in Birmingham, roofers in Coventry, roofers in Nottingham and roofers in Norwich.
North: roofers in Manchester, roofers in Leeds, roofers in Liverpool, roofers in Newcastle and roofers in Hull.
Wales and the South West: roofers in Cardiff, roofers in Swansea and roofers in Bristol.
Scotland: roofers in Glasgow, roofers in Edinburgh and roofers in Aberdeen.