Here’s some breaking news … Corrie will probably not be hugely popular in 2022! However, worry not if you are a soap fan! We at Property Claim Assist are referencing a storm, likely to wreak widespread property damage, rather than the drama set on the cobbles.
Corrie will be the next ‘moniker’ off the block for the UK’s named storms and the first of 2022. It will be followed by storms Dudley, Eunice, Franklin, Gladys, Herman, Imani, Jack, Kim and Logan. That’s if we get that many. Another 9 names are on the list, including Ruby and Vergil.
What Is a ‘Storm’ In Insurance Terms?
Whilst you may think a storm is a storm, no matter what it’s called, your insurer may think differently. According to the Association of British Insurers, to be “a storm”, a weather incident needs to fulfil certain criteria.
Firstly, it needs to involve violent weather, featuring winds of at least 48 knots (55mph). This is the same as Storm Force 10 on the Beaufort Scale. Alternatively, it needs to have included torrential rainfall of at least 25mm per hour or snow that has fallen to a depth of 30cm (one foot) within 24 hours. A storm can also be an incident including hail. The hail has to be so intense that it damages hard surfaces or breaks glass.
When will an insurer pay out for storm damage?
Some insurers will only pay out for storm damage, if one of these factors is met. Additionally, some will only pay out if the property owner can specifically prove that the condition was satisfied within their localised area. Not just in a general geographical area known to have experienced high winds or severe weather.
This can cause major issues with property insurance claims. An insurer and/or their loss adjuster may be quick to turn down your storm damage property insurance claim. They may point to small print that suggests that a very defined situation has to have occurred within a set radius of your property. If you are trying to handle your own claim and do not know how to negotiate with the insurer’s loss adjuster on this point, you may feel you simply have to accept their decision to deny (refute) your claim. That is not necessarily the case, however.
How loss assessors can assist in storm damage insurance claims
This is one instance where having your own loss assessor representing you within your property claim negotiations can be invaluable. When that can be a free service through Property Claim Assist, it makes sense to explore it. No matter what type of property damage you incur. Having an insurance and property repair expert in your corner is not a luxury. It’s actually a way to of level the playing field. The insurer has their representative in the shape of the loss adjuster, who is paid by the insurer and, therefore, not impartial, so why shouldn’t you too have representation?
Some insurance policies are also very ambiguous about what constitutes a storm. The Financial Ombudsman recognises this. They suggest a storm generally involves violent winds, usually accompanied by rain, hail or snow. This is far more flexible than the ABI definition.
Overturning storm damage insurance claim denials
A further pitfall within storm damage insurance claims can surround disputes about the property’s pre-storm condition. A loss adjuster and the insurer they represent, may allege the property was not well maintained and that damage resulted from general degradation and wear and tear, not the storm. Again, if that is an unjust assessment. Having your own loss assessor on board may enable you to prove otherwise and successfully progress your claim.
In such instances, it is about being able to construct a compelling argument, backed by as much evidence as possible. This could see Property Claim Assist instructing experts, who can produce reports that help dispute the insurer and loss adjuster’s view. It may entail collating evidence of past maintenance and backing a claim up with local weather reports.
Disputing wear and tear assessments in property insurance claims
Even if there is some wear and tear at a home or property, proving what the major cause of the damage actually was, at a specific point in time, can potentially help clients win their argument and progress their property insurance claim for storm damage. A Property Claim Assist loss assessor’s expertise can be of huge benefit.
If Corrie, or any other storm, involving wind, rain, hail or snow, catches your property out, do get in touch with us. Having us in your corner could make all the difference to your claim and yet cost you nothing, if we also handle your repairs. Just call us on 0333 577 2720.
