Storm damage
Storm on the way? Storm damage can have major consequences, from a collapsed roof to uninsured expenses. Whether you have damage to your home, car or yard, acting quickly will prevent worse and increase your chances of receiving compensation from your insurance company. Always take pictures of the situation before cleaning up.
What to do in case of damage
Storm behind and damage discovered? Then you want to know quickly what to do. The best approach depends on the situation. A leak in your home requires different actions than damage to your car. The table below shows you what the first steps are for common types of storm damage. This will help you limit damage and speed up the processing of your claim.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Tree fallen on roof | Call the fire department immediately in case of danger. Then contact your building insurance company. |
| Windows cracked or roof tiles blown away | Temporarily cover open areas with tarps or wooden boards to prevent further damage. |
| Water intruded into house | Turn off electrical equipment. Start mopping or pumping. Take pictures of the damage. |
| Car damaged by falling debris or branches | Take pictures and report the damage directly to your car insurance company. Make a note of where and when it happened. |
| Solar panels damaged or detached | Take pictures of the damage. Report this to your building insurance company and have a licensed installer assess the damage. |
| Fence toppled or damaged | Take pictures and check if your home insurance covers it. Get a repair quote if necessary. |
| Roof dome or skylight loosened | Apply a temporary sealant. Report it immediately to your property insurer with photos from inside and outside. |
| Tree fell on neighbor's property | Establish contact with neighbors and your insurance company. Document everything and take clear pictures. |
| Gutter or downspout loose or clogged | Remove branches or debris carefully. Report larger damage or leaks to your building insurance company. |
Record damage properly
Always take pictures of the damage before you start cleaning up or repairing. Take photos from multiple angles and distances so you show a good picture of the situation. Make sure your photos show clearly:
- the whole as well as the details of the damage;
- the situation around the damaged object (for example, the location of a fallen tree);
- date and time (via metadata or visible on a watch/phone);
- any traces of the storm, such as broken branches, collapsed parts or flying material.
Save the photos digitally and share them with your insurer as proof with your claim. The insurer may also send an expert to assess the damage. The insurer will always let you know.
Steps for handling storm damage
What exactly should you do and within what time frame? No storm damage is the same, but a quick and structured approach makes a difference in claim preparation and resolution.
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| Within 1 hour | Ensure safety: get yourself and others to safety. Call emergency services in the event of immediate danger. |
| Within 2 hours | Take clear pictures of the damage before you clean up or repair anything. |
| Within 24 hours | Report the damage to your insurer or agent. Provide photos and a brief description. |
| Within 48 hours | If necessary, have an emergency repair done to prevent subsequent damage. |
| Within 72 hours | Collect repair quotes or wait for the insurance company's claims adjuster. |
What if you are not insured for storm damage?
Are you not insured or is the damage outside your coverage? That's a very unpleasant situation because you will probably have to pay the cost all by yourself. There are some things you can do, though:
- Ask a bodyshop for a quote and possibly installment payments;
- Check whether your municipality offers a contingency plan 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 from neighbors or the municipality;
- Consider taking out appropriate buildings or contents insurance in the future to cover future risks.
Storm damage deductible
Storm damage is bad enough, of course, and you want the damage repaired as quickly as possible. With building insurance, you pay a deductible for storm damage before you are reimbursed for the damage. Usually this amount is set at €150. You can increase or decrease the amount yourself.
Storm damage is subject to a higher deductible than most other claims. Generally, you pay 2/1000th of the amount for which you have insured the home in excess. This amount is usually between €200 and €500 but varies by insurer.
Storm damage prevention
If you've experienced storm damage, you obviously never want that to happen again. Fortunately, you can limit or prevent much damage by taking measures in advance. The Dutch Association of Insurers has tips on what you can do immediately when severe weather approaches and how you can make your home structurally more resistant to severe storms.
Short-term measures
You can take these measures right away as soon as storms are predicted. 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 entering.
- Secure garden furniture, flower pots, umbrellas, trash containers, barbecues and pergolas indoors or securely.
- Do not place cars under trees when storms are imminent.
- Check the roof for loose roof tiles, roof lead and the attachment of roof domes, corrugated sheets, antennas, flagpoles and satellite dishes.
- Prune trees and remove loose or dead branches that may break off and cause damage.
Long-term measures
With these structural modifications and controls, you will prepare your home permanently for stormy weather and prevent larger damages in the long run.
- Maintain woodwork regularly by painting properly and making timely repairs.
- Check fences for strength and replace rotten parts.
- Inspect the eaves and roofing materials such as bitumen or plastic for proper fastening so that the wind cannot beat under them.
- Check that gravel lies evenly on a flat roof. Consider concrete tiles in the corners, but have a structural engineer assess this first.
- Have thatched roofs inspected annually by a licensed thatching company.
- Annually check the fasteners of roof domes, skylights and corrugated sheets for wear or loose parts.
- Inspect masonry and chimneys for cracks and damaged grout to prevent structural damage.
Frequently asked questions about storm damage
Am I insured for storm damage by default?
A severe storm can do a lot of damage to such things as your home, belongings or car. Insurers speak of a storm when there is at least wind force 7. Fortunately, a lot of damage is compensated if you are insured for it. For example, storm damage to your car is insured, depending on the type of coverage you have taken out.
Damage to your home is covered by your home insurance and damage to your belongings can be recovered from your home insurance company. However, there is a separate deductible for storm damage. The amount of the deductible determines the part of the damage that is for your own account. Also, the coverage for storm damage can differ from one insurer to another. Your advisor can help you with that.
I have storm damage to my car
Storm damage to your car is insured if you have WA + Limited Casco or WA + Full Casco (All-risk) car insurance. If your car is WA insured, you are unfortunately not insured for storm damage. With this coverage you are only insured for damage you cause to others.
I have storm damage to my property
A big storm can also cause considerable damage to your home. Think of broken roof tiles, a blown down fence, damaged solar panels or serious water damage. Storm damage to your home is covered by your home insurance. However, there is a higher deductible for storm damage than for other damages.
The deductible often starts from €250, but can vary from one insurer to another. In case of damage caused by a storm, you pay your own deductible first. The rest of the damage is reimbursed by the insurer. When taking out your home insurance, you choose the amount of the deductible. In your policy you can find the amount of your deductible.
I have storm damage to my belongings
Loose items in your garden can easily be damaged during a storm. With contents insurance, these items are insured, such as a parasol, barbecue or lounge set. However, the coverage may vary from one insurer to another.
For example, one insurer will only reimburse if something was blown against your belongings from the outside, such as a fallen tree. Also, not all insurers compensate damage to the plants in your garden. The exact coverage can be found in the policy conditions of your insurer. Your advisor can help you with this.
How do I report storm damage to my insurer?
Contact your insurer or agent as soon as possible. Have your policy number handy, describe the damage clearly and send photos. Often you can also report damage online through your account or app.
Should I wait for the expert before repairing anything?
No, if there are emergencies or risk of consequential damage, you may take temporary measures immediately. Do document the situation well with photos before you begin.
Is storm damage due to overdue maintenance covered?
Not always. If damage was caused in part by poor maintenance, the insurer may limit or deny compensation. So make sure your home is well and demonstrably maintained.
What is the difference between storm and water damage?
Storm damage occurs when winds reach force 7 or higher. Water damage often comes from heavy rain, leakage or flooding. Sometimes these damages are covered under other coverages or policies.
Can I prevent storm damage?
Complete prevention is not always possible, but you can greatly reduce the risk with good preparation and regular maintenance. See the tips above under "Preventing Storm Damage.
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