Storm Damage Claims

Storm damage claims are actually extremely common in Ireland and it is very important that they are dealt with appropriately so you are able to carry out the full repairs and prevent any further damage to your home.

What constitutes a storm and what is storm damage?

Storm damage is not always listed in home insurance policies and building insurance policies are often vague when it comes to defining what actually constitutes as a storm, and so it is recommended that you ask your insurance provider for an appendix which lists all types of storm damage covered, particularly if you are living in what is considered a high risk area.

Storms are generally categorised as high winds, which may or may not be accompanied by heavy rain, hail, and snow. Storm damage can include flooding, damage to services within the home, structural damage caused by debris and fallen trees, and fire caused by electrical faults due to downed power lines. However, policy wording differs, and so it is essential that you get the right claims advice in order to prevent home or business interruption.

Other situations where storm damage would arise would be if rain water overflows from a roof valley or even a blocked outlet in a parapet wall. This would all be covered under the storm damage, or escape of water peril.

Storm damage can often lead to other damage within the property such as water damage to ceilings and walls, damaged floor coverings and decorative works etc. These can all be very expensive to repair for both homeowners and business owners as they can disrupt the normal operations of the dwelling.

Is storm damage covered by insurance?

Yes. Storm damage is usually caused by very bad weather conditions such as gale force winds, resulting in rain water or flooding waters entering the property. However, storm damage can occur as a result of general wear and tear.

For instance, slates or tiles may have come loose due to age or poor maintenance. This may not be regarded as storm damage and hence, cover could be excluded in this scenario.

Is my home covered against storm damage?

In recent times, Ireland has experienced some very bad weather events such as storm Brian, Eleanor and Hector as well as hurricane Ophelia. This has left thousands of homes and businesses across the country with severe structural damage and a huge amount of repair work to be carried out.

In the aftermath of a storm, many Irish homeowners automatically assume that their home is fully covered against storm damage under their home insurance, building insurance, or contents insurance policies, however, this is not always the case.

As mentioned above, potential problems can arise if your insurers can prove that your property has not been adequately maintained to protect against storm damage, thus refusing to pay out for your storm damage insurance claim.

Expert advice and assistance when dealing with storm damage claims

The first port of call when you suffer a storm damage claim is to get your roof examined by a competent roofer to establish the extent of the repairs. The insurance company will require a roofers report so that they can officially deal with your claim.

Photographs of the initial damage are important here as any necessary emergency repairs that may need to be carried out before the insurance company are able to inspect could potentially prejudice your position.

We can offer you expert advice and will be able to handle and negotiate your storm damage claim in a proficient and professional manner. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced Loss Assessors and claims handlers.

Making a Home Insurance Claim for Storm Damage

Many people may be turned off submitting an insurance claim because it can be very time consuming and at times stressful, but putting your trust in us here at N.J. Carroll & Associates, we will handle all negotiations with your insurance company or their appointed representatives and act in your best interest.

Our main priority is to get the maximum settlement entitlement under your policy’s terms without undue delay so you can return your home to the condition it was before the insured loss occurred.

How we can help you with your storm damage insurance claim

We ensure that you do not have to spend hours dealing with your storm damage insurance claim. You have enough to deal with at this stressful time. Throughout the whole claims process, we will be on hand, taking the stress and worry off your hands while keeping you updated at all times. You will not have to go through your insurance company’s call centre or deal with their complex claim forms.

With our expert team on your side, we will take the worry out of managing and negotiating your insurance claim. You will no longer have the hassle and stress of dealing with your insurance company.

We make sure that you get to carry on your life as normal as possible under the circumstances, and we dedicate our time and expertise to get you fully back on track with limited interference.

Professional advice in dealing with storm damage repairs

Storm damage is usually caused by gale force winds, resulting in rain water or flooding waters entering the property. Unfortunately, storm damage can occur as a result of general wear and tear. For instance, slates or tiles may have come loose due to age or poor maintenance. This would not be regarded as storm damage and hence, cover would be excluded in this scenario.

Other situations where storm damage would arise would be if rain water overflows from a roof valley or even a blocked outlet in a parapet wall. This would all be covered under the storm damage, or escape of water peril. Storm damage can often lead to other damage within the property such as water damage to ceilings and walls, damaged floor coverings and decorative works. These can all be very expensive to repair.

Assisting you with the arduous process of making a storm damage claim

The first port of call when you suffer a storm damage claim is to get your roof examined by a competent roofer to establish the extent of the repairs. The insurance company will require roofers’ report so that they can officially deal with your claim. Photographs of the initial damage are important here as any necessary emergency repairs that may need to be carried out before the insurance company are able to inspect could potentially prejudice your position. We can offer you expert advice and will be able to handle and negotiate your storm damage claim in a proficient and professional manner. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced Loss Assessors and claims handlers.

Loss Assessors Ireland

N.J. Carroll & Associates provides a thorough and efficient claims service and will always act in your best interest. We are one of the most experienced loss-assessing firms in Ireland having been in business for over 30 years.

N.J. Carroll & Associates Ltd are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Our Financial Regulator Certificate number is C41330. Niall Carroll is a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. We are also a member of the Irish Claims Consultants Association.

Please do not hesitate to contact us today and one of our experienced Loss Assessors and claims handlers will talk you through the process of how to go about handling your water damage claim.