Home Insurance Claims

As homeowners recover from the storms that raged across the UK,last year many will be assuming that repairs for any damage will be covered by their home insurance.

However, thousands will be left counting the cost as they discover they don't have the protection they need.

The threat of higher premiums shouldn't put you off making a claim, although it is worth assessing the extent of the damage as you may decide it's not worth it if the repair costs are reasonable.

You also need to check your policy details to see whether you are eligible to claim. Not all insurers cover storm damage and of those that do, most exclude garden gates and fences.

Buildings insurance does not cover wear and tear so if tiles came off your roof during a storm, but it was already in need of attention because it was in a bad state of repair, a loss adjuster may well turn down the claim.

You therefore need to check the details of your policy carefully. If you believe you are covered, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Take photos of any spoilt items as it may assist with settling the claim. You should also keep any ruined property as the provider may wish to inspect it. And keep any other evidence that may support your claim. For example, if the damage occurred because of localised weather conditions, look to see if there is any reference to it in a local paper or on the internet. If there is keep, or print out a copy as this could help if the insurer does doubt your story.

If you have had immediate repairs carried out, keep a receipt of the work as the insurer will want to see it.

Once you have checked your policy documents to ensure you are covered for the damage to your home, ask your insurer for a claim form. Complete it and return it with an estimate of the cost for repairs or replacements.

It's vital to be honest at this point. Making a false claim to your insurer is likely to invalidate your policy. If you're unsure of what the estimates should be you can contact a loss assessor. However, bear in mind that many insurance companies are wary of loss assessors as they work on a commission basis - the more money they recover, the more they are paid..