Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin hit the UK, with insurers expected to pay out hundreds of millions of pounds

Insurers could pay out hundreds of millions of pounds after Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, according to Which?, which published guidance on home insurance claims on 22 February 2022¹. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it was too early to estimate the likely cost of Storms Eunice and Franklin to insurers¹.

The ABI noted that payouts from Storms Ciara and Dennis earlier in the year topped £360m, and the comparison website Compare the Market found storm-related claims averaged £3,500 each after those two storms¹.

Which? reported that many insurers give policyholders up to 180 days to make a claim on home insurance, and that most insurers have 24-hour emergency numbers for advice and help arranging rapid repairs¹. Where a home is uninhabitable, insurers should arrange and pay for temporary accommodation while repairs are carried out¹.

On who to contact, Which? said that if you own your home, your buildings insurance policy should cover damage to the building itself, while if you rent, the landlord is responsible for this¹. For individual possessions damaged by the storm, the contents insurer should be contacted, which may be a different insurer from the buildings insurer¹.

Which? said most home insurance policies cover storm damage, though some elements of flood damage may be excluded, or require an expensive excess, if you live in a high-risk area¹. It added that claims are decided case by case, with any payout depending on the degree of damage, the cost of repairs and the level of cover purchased¹.

On evidence, Which? said photographic evidence may be needed, and that the ABI advises keeping anything damaged in the storm in case it can be repaired¹. Where a policyholder made a quick fix themselves, Which? said to tell the insurer what was done and keep receipts, as these can factor into the claim¹.

If a claim is rejected or an insurer is felt to have treated a customer unfairly, Which? said to speak to the insurer first and then, once the complaints process in the policy document is exhausted, take the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service¹. It said there is usually six months from the time deadlock is reached with an insurer in which to make a complaint¹.

Why it matters for households

The storms left households in the hardest-hit areas facing property damage and unexpected repair bills¹. For owner-occupiers, buildings cover relates to the structure, while damaged possessions fall to contents cover, which may sit with a different insurer¹. Renters look to their landlord for damage to the building¹.

The sums involved are significant: storm-related claims averaged £3,500 each after Storms Ciara and Dennis, and payouts for those two storms topped £360m¹. Which? noted that the nearer a claim amount is to the excess, the more negligible the benefit of claiming, and that premiums can be affected at renewal¹. It also noted that flood damage in high-risk areas may be excluded or carry an expensive excess¹.

What happens next

The ABI said it was too early to estimate the likely cost of Storms Eunice and Franklin to insurers¹. No figure for the total cost of Dudley, Eunice and Franklin has been reported.