Storm Damage
Is a storm on the way? Storm damage can have serious consequences, ranging from a collapsed roof to uninsured costs. Whether your home, car, or yard has been damaged, acting quickly can prevent further damage and increase your chances of receiving compensation from your insurer. Always take photos of the situation before you start cleaning up.
What to Do in Case of Damage
Has a storm passed and you’ve discovered damage? Then you’ll want to know right away what to do. The best course of action depends on the situation. A leak in your home requires different steps than damage to your car. The table below shows you the first steps to take for common types of storm damage. This will help you minimize the damage and speed up the processing of your claim.
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Tree Fell on the Roof | Call the fire department immediately in case of danger. Then contact your home insurance provider. |
| Broken windows or blown-off roof tiles | Temporarily cover the open areas with tarps or wooden boards to prevent further damage. |
| Water Has Leaked Into the House | Turn off all electrical appliances. Start mopping or pumping. Take photos of the damage. |
| Car damaged by falling debris or branches | Take photos and report the damage to your auto insurance provider right away. Make a note of where and when it happened. |
| Solar panels damaged or loose | Take photos of the damage. Report it to your home insurance provider and have a certified technician assess the damage. |
| Fence has fallen over or been damaged | Take photos and check whether your home insurance covers this. If necessary, have a repair estimate prepared. |
| Skylight or roof window has come loose | Apply a temporary seal. Report it immediately to your home insurance provider, along with photos of the interior and exterior. |
| Tree Fell on the Neighbors' Property | Get in touch with your neighbors and your insurance company. Document everything and take clear photos. |
| Gutter or downspout is loose or clogged | Carefully remove any branches or debris. Report any major damage or leaks to your home insurance provider. |
Documenting Damage Properly
Always take photos of the damage before you start cleaning up or making repairs. Take photos from multiple angles and distances so that you provide a clear picture of the situation. Make sure your photos clearly show:
- the overall picture and the details of the damage;
- the situation surrounding the damaged object (for example, the location of a fallen tree);
- date and time (via metadata or visible on a watch or phone);
- any signs of the storm, such as broken branches, collapsed structures, or debris flying around.
Save the photos digitally and share them with your insurer as evidence to support your claim. The insurer may also send an adjuster to assess the damage. The insurer will always let you know if this is the case.
Step-by-Step Guide to Handling Storm Damage
What exactly do you need to do, and by when? No two cases of storm damage are the same, but a quick and structured approach makes all the difference when filing a claim and resolving the damage.
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| Within 1 hour | Ensure safety: get yourself and others to safety. Call emergency services if there is an immediate danger. |
| Within 2 hours | Take clear photos of the damage before you clean anything up or make any repairs. |
| Within 24 hours | Report the damage to your insurer or insurance agent. Provide photos and a brief description. |
| Within 48 hours | If necessary, have emergency repairs performed to prevent further damage. |
| Within 72 hours | Get repair estimates or wait for the insurance company's claims adjuster. |
What if you aren't insured for storm damage?
Are you uninsured, or does the damage fall outside your coverage? That's a very unpleasant situation because you'll likely have to pay the entire cost yourself. There are, however, a few things you can do:
- Ask a body shop for a quote and, if possible, a payment plan;
- Check whether your municipality offers an emergency assistance program or emergency fund;
- Determine whether you can take legal action if the damage was caused by the negligence of others. For example, a poorly maintained tree belonging to your neighbors or the municipality;
- Consider taking out appropriate home or personal property insurance going forward to cover future risks.
Storm Damage Deductible
Storm damage is, of course, annoying enough as it is, and you naturally want the damage repaired as quickly as possible. With home insurance, you pay a deductible for storm damage before you receive compensation. This amount is usually €150. You can choose to increase or decrease this amount yourself.
A higher deductible applies to storm damage than to most other types of damage. Generally, you pay a deductible equal to 2/1000th of the amount for which you have insured your home. This amount is usually between €200 and €500, but varies by insurer.
Preventing Storm Damage
If you’ve experienced storm damage, you obviously never want it to happen again. Fortunately, you can limit or prevent a lot of damage by taking precautions in advance. The Dutch Association of Insurers offers tips on what you can do immediately when severe weather is approaching, as well as how to make your home more resilient to severe storms in the long term.
Short-term measures
You can take these steps as soon as a storm is forecast. They reduce the risk of damage to your home, car, and belongings.
- Close all doors and windows to prevent them from blowing open or precipitation from getting inside.
- Bring garden furniture, flower pots, umbrellas, trash cans, barbecues, and pergolas indoors or secure them firmly.
- Do not park cars under trees when a storm is approaching.
- Check the roof for loose roof tiles, flashing, and the fastenings of skylights, corrugated metal sheets, antennas, flagpoles, and satellite dishes.
- Prune trees and remove loose or dead branches that could break off and cause damage.
Long-term measures
With these structural modifications and inspections, you can prepare your home for stormy weather in a sustainable way and prevent major damage in the long term.
- Maintain woodwork regularly by painting it properly and making repairs in a timely manner.
- Check fences for stability and replace any rotten parts.
- Inspect the roof edge and roofing materials, such as asphalt or plastic, to ensure they are securely fastened so that the wind cannot blow them loose.
- Check to make sure the gravel is spread evenly on a flat roof. Consider using concrete tiles in the corners, but have this assessed by a structural engineer first.
- Have thatched roofs inspected annually by a certified thatching company.
- Check the fasteners on skylights, roof lights, and corrugated sheets annually for wear or loose parts.
- Inspect masonry and chimneys for cracks and damaged mortar to prevent structural damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage
Am I automatically covered for storm damage?
A severe storm can cause a great deal of damage to your home, belongings, or car, for example. Insurers define a storm as winds of at least force 7. Fortunately, much of the damage is simply covered if you have the appropriate insurance. For example, storm damage to your car is covered, depending on thetype of coverageyou’ve purchased.
Damage to your home is covered by your home insurance, and you can file a claim with your contents insurer for damage to your belongings. However, there is a separate deductible for storm damage. The amount of the deductible determines the portion of the damage you must pay out of pocket. Coverage for storm damage may also vary by insurer. Your advisor can help you with this.
My car sustained storm damage
Storm damage to your car is covered if you havethird-party liability + limited comprehensiveorthird-party liability + full comprehensive(all-risk) auto insurance. If your car is covered only bythird-party liability insurance, unfortunately, you are not covered for storm damage. With this type of coverage, you are only insured for damage you cause to others.
My home has storm damage
A severe storm can also cause significant damage to your home. Examples include broken roof tiles, a blown-over fence, damaged solar panels, or serious water damage. Storm damage to your home is covered by yourhome insurance. However, the deductible for storm damage is higher than for other types of damage.
The deductible often starts at €250, but may vary by insurer. In the event of storm damage, you must first pay your deductible. The insurer will cover the remainder of the damage. When you purchase your home insurance, you choose the amount of your deductible. You can find the amount of your deductible in your policy.
My belongings have been damaged by the storm
Loose items in your yard can easily be damaged during a storm. Withpersonal property insurance, these items—such as a patio umbrella, barbecue, or lounge set—are covered. However, coverage may vary by insurer.
For example, some insurers will only cover damage if an external object—such as a fallen tree—struck your belongings. Also, not all insurers cover damage to the plants in your garden. You can find the exact details of your coverage in your insurer’s policy terms and conditions. Your advisor can help you with this.
How do I report storm damage to my insurance company?
Contact your insurer or insurance agent as soon as possible. Have your policy number handy, clearly describe the damage, and include photos. You can often report a claim online through your account or app.
Should I wait for the expert before I fix anything?
No, in the event of an emergency or the risk of further damage, you may take immediate temporary measures. Be sure to document the situation thoroughly with photos before you begin.
Is storm damage caused by neglected maintenance covered?
Not always. If the damage was partly caused by poor maintenance, the insurer may limit or deny coverage. So make sure your home is properly maintained and that you have proof of this maintenance.
What is the difference between storm damage and water damage?
Storm damage occurs when wind speeds reach force 7 or higher. Water damage is often caused by heavy rainfall, leaks, or flooding. Sometimes this damage is covered under other types of coverage or policies.
Can I prevent storm damage?
It’s not always possible to prevent it entirely, but you can greatly reduce the risk with proper preparation and regular maintenance. See the tips above under “Preventing Storm Damage.”
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