Naturally, noticing that your home has picked up damage – on the roof or elsewhere – due to harsh weather can be inconvenient on any occasion. However, it can be especially irritating at this time of year, which is deep in the midst of “storm season”.

“Storm season” is so-called as storms tend to become especially common at this time. If freak weather damages your property, here is how you should go about making an insurance claim…

The urgency of reacting properly to storm season

Here in the North East, we at Vantage’s usually deem “storm season” to last from November until about March. If storm damage is inflicted to your property, there could be a pretty hefty repair bill to pay. However, you shouldn’t just react when you see obvious damage.

In fact, if you see or even just hear anything whatsoever that could hint at storm damage, you should act as soon as possible. Otherwise, the damage – and, thus, repair costs – could worsen.

The “safety net” that is insurance

Even if the surely unmistakable signs of storm damage pop up, you might not be too worried about the financial implications. This could be the case if you hold buildings insurance.

As the Financial Ombudsman Service site explains, this type of cover can typically meet financial losses resulting from storm damage. Therefore, upon first noticing such damage, you might instinctively reach for the phone to call them… except that, well, this shouldn’t be your first step.

That’s because it might not always be obvious what your insurance covers you for, when it comes to damage inflicted by storms. Indeed, The Telegraph highlights various instances where there can be gaps in coverage. Therefore, it is important that you prepare your claim carefully.

Why you should approach us before your insurer

At Vantage’s, we process about £1 million of insurance work every year on behalf of our customers. This is because of cases where a customer has noticed residential damage in the wake of a storm and then arranged for us to visit their home and fully assess that damage.

Our assessors can judge – both objectively and subjectively – whether or not, and where, it is indeed storm damage. Some of the damage might be due to simple “wear and tear”, which the insurance would not cover.

In reacting to genuine storm damage, we can pull together an insurance estimate and take this to your insurer, on your behalf. This highlights the importance of phoning us – on 0191 497 8980 – before your insurance company. In a report, we will accurately detail what repair work is needed and what isn’t, as well as include images of the damage. That report will be handed to the insurer.

This has proved to be a highly successful method of making an insurance claim. Therefore, our competent roofing company can help you to get back up and running.