The storm, currently gathering in the Atlantic and referred to as the St Jude storm, could bring winds of up to 80 miles per hour and research from Halifax Home Insurance suggests many home owners are not prepared.
According to its latest Home Maintenance Monitor, a quarter of home owners have never checked the condition of their roof, yet 19% of homes have suffered from an ingress of water in the past two years. Some 10% have been affected by windstorm damage and 9% have experienced damage caused by snow or freezing weather. Yet 27% are unaware of what is and isn’t covered by their home insurance.
Last year, Halifax Home Insurance handled 26,874 windstorm damage claims, which cost more than £15.5 million in total to put right. The insurer also registered 21,739 claims for burst and frozen pipes, costing an average of £1,779 to fix.
‘Extreme weather, like the St Jude storm, can take its toll on homes. Homes that have been neglected throughout the year are particularly susceptible to further damage, as problems such as slipped tiles or blocked guttering which have previously been ignored, can be exacerbated by severe winds and rainfall,’ said Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance.
‘Home owners should ensure their home is well maintained and protected against the elements by checking that the roof is in good condition, that loose items are secured and that low hanging branches, that could cause damage in a storm, are cut back,’ he explained.
The research also found that one in 10 home owners lacks sufficient insurance to protect them from these issues while a quarter don’t know if they are covered at all. By failing to properly maintain their property, homeowners risk invalidating their insurance policy.
It is estimated that maintaining gutters, for example, costs £40 but replacing them could be $585 while replacing a handful of loose tiles could cost £60 but replacing a badly damaged roof could end up costing £5,000. Likewise, maintaining the average boiler is £70 but replacing it £1,500.
Owners are advised to check the condition of the roof. Look for cracked or broken tiles, cracks in the chimney or problems with the pointing. If any repairs are needed, hire a professional roofing contractor to carry out the work as soon as possible.
Ahead of the storm they should also clear the gutters and drain pipes of any leaves or debris that have built up in them to reduce the risk of blocks and overflows, keep gates and outbuilding doors fastened securely and secure any other loose items, check external light fittings are secure and cut back low hanging branches that could cause damage in high winds or storms.
