Protecting homes from storm damage

Is the UK becoming vulnerable to more frequent and severe storms? Homeowners need to take steps to reduce the potential damage to their homes from a storm and check that their insurance will meet their needs should the worst happen.

It's ten years since Storm Abigail became the first storm named by the UK's Met Office. Since then, over 70 storms have been named with 2022’s Storm Eunice recording the highest windspeed (122 mph) in the Isle of Wight. Twelve storms recorded during the 2023/24 season were the highest number seen since the introduction of the new naming system. But what do the recent storm trends reveal about the prevailing weather patterns in the UK and the likelihood of more frequent and more severe storms in the future? And what does this mean for homeowners and their insurance?

“Helping homeowners recover from storm damage is a critical role for buildings and contents insurance, but it’s important for policyholders to understand what a policy will and will not cover, and what else they can do to protect their home and minimise any potential losses,” says Claire Tweed, Claims Team Manager – Chubb Personal Risk Services. 

The Met Office names a storm based on its “potential to cause disruption or damage,” which could translate into a period of violent weather with wind speeds gusting to at least 55mph, or causing torrential rainfall of at least 25mm per hour, or snow to a depth of at least 30cm. While the 2024/25 storm season recorded half (six) the number of storms compared to the previous year, there have, however, been some notable weather events over the last 12 months such as January 2025’s Storm Eowyn, which was the UK's most powerful windstorm in a decade.

While the Met Office cautions against drawing any definitive conclusions about future storm frequency, it states that “most climate projections indicate that winter windstorms will increase slightly in number and intensity over the UK i.e. more winter storms, including disproportionately more severe storms”.

Given the likelihood of at least a continuation in the current levels of storm frequency being experienced, homeowners should recognise the ongoing threat to their home and consider what they can do to minimise any damage should a storm hit.

Basic steps all homeowners can take include:

• Keep emergency contact details – such as for insurance, utility companies and local authorities – in a safe, waterproof place.
• Put garden furniture away and secure other free-standing items like BBQs and trampolines (which can be anchored to the ground).
• Secure pool covers and tennis nets.
• Regularly check fencing to see if there are any loose panels or rotten posts.
• Move vehicles into a garage, or away from trees, or away from possible flooding.
• Ensure trees are maintained – checking that loose or rotten branches are removed.
• If in a flood risk area, consider moving valuable or essential items upstairs or to a high place.

Despite taking precautions to minimise the potential for storm damage, losses can still occur which is when homeowners will turn to their building and contents insurance. “Before confirming cover, some insurers will want to consider the weather conditions that led to the claim. That might mean, for example, looking at whether wind speeds were high enough to cause the damage that is being claimed for,” says Tweed. Chubb Masterpiece does not require particular wind speeds for a claim to be covered. “If a customer submitted a claim for storm damage and it was not a named storm, we would look at the recorded weather conditions and take a commonsense view,” adds Tweed.

It is important to note that insurance is not a maintenance contract, which means most policies will not cover storm damage to fences, hedges, gates and contents left out in the open, as well as for general wear and tear. Which is why keeping on top of maintenance around the home and garden is important. Chubb Masterpiece will, however, provide falling tree cover. “We cover loss or damage to a customer’s house and other permanent structures caused by falling trees, including the cost of tree removal,” says Tweed. “We will also pay up to a total of £1,000 in a policy period – or up to £2,500 under an enhanced Chubb Masterpiece Signature policy – for the removal cost of trees felled by a storm where no loss or damage has occurred to a customer's house or other permanent structures at a residence listed on a policy schedule.” That can mean that while a wind-damaged fence is not covered, it will be repaired or replaced under a Chubb policy if the wind caused a tree to fall over and damage the fence.

A Chubb insured suffered damage to their property on New Year’s Day. It was reported to Chubb’s out of hours service, where all new out of hours losses are sent directly to senior members of the claims management team meaning someone was able to call the insured that day to check all was okay, while offering any further assistance. An in-house loss adjuster was appointed and visited on the 3 January 2025 to find a tree had fallen damaging a car and the front of the building. “We also engaged our chief motor engineer to assist with the vehicle claim, whilst our in-house loss adjuster handled the property claim along with a surveyor. Dealing with just one insurer ensured a smooth and efficient process,” says Tweed.

Storms and weather events will continue to hit the UK which increases the importance of getting prepared and making sure homeowners have the right insurance in place to protect their assets. “Recovering from storm damage can be a stressful time in anyone's life, so having taken steps to reduce the likelihood and impact of any damage, making sure the right insurance is in place that responds quickly and effectively should be a priority,” says Alan P Gorman, European Underwriting Manager – Chubb Personal Risk Services.

For more advice and guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us.