Storm-proof your home – and your insurance

With autumn storms on the way, now is the time to get your home – and your paperwork – ready. When Storm Ciarán hit in 2023, our office helped many Islanders with insurance claims and appeals, and the same lessons came up again and again. A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress, and money, later.

Before a storm: Give your home a once-over

Take a walk around your property while the weather is calm. Anything that is loose or in poor repair is far more likely to fail in high winds, and insurers may not pay out for damage caused by general wear and tear.

• Roof and chimney: look for slipped or missing tiles and slates, a damaged chimney pot or a loose TV aerial. Get problems fixed sooner rather than later – roofers and builders are in very short supply after a bad storm.
• Gutters and drains: clear leaves and debris from gutters, downpipes and drains so heavy rain can run away rather than back into your home.
• Trees and hedges: cut back branches that overhang your roof, windows or power lines.
• The garden: tie down or bring inside anything that could blow about, such as garden furniture, trampolines, bins, plant pots and children's toys.
• Doors and windows: make sure they shut tightly and that seals are in good condition.
• Your car: if you can, park in a garage or away from trees, walls and buildings.
• Know your switches: find out where to turn off your electricity, water and gas supplies in an emergency.

Put together a storm kit

Power cuts are common during severe weather, so keep a few essentials somewhere easy to reach.

These include a torch and spare batteries, a fully charged phone and power bank, a battery or wind-up radio, bottled water, any medication you need, and warm layers and blankets.

Also keep handy a list of useful numbers, including your insurer's claims line and policy number, Jersey Electricity, and a trusted local builder, roofer and electrician.

Check your insurance now, rather than after after the damage is done

The worst time to discover a gap in your cover is when you're standing in a damaged home. Dig out your policy documents and check exactly what you're covered for.

• Buildings insurance covers storm damage to the structure of your home and its permanent fixtures and fittings, such as kitchens, doors and windows. It should also pay for somewhere to stay while repairs are carried out. Be aware that most policies exclude fences, sheds and outbuildings.
• Contents insurance covers the things you could take with you if you moved – furniture, electrical items, clothes and jewellery etc – and emergency purchases such as replacement clothing. Watch out for limits on single high-value items and for large excesses.
• Carpets and flooring can fall under either buildings or contents cover, depending on the insurer, so check both policies.
• For your car, you'll only be able to claim for storm damage to your own vehicle with a fully comprehensive policy, which should also give you a courtesy car during repairs. Third party cover only pays for damage you cause to others.
• If you are renting, your landlord's buildings insurance should cover the building and the cost of temporary accommodation – you shouldn't have to pay for that yourself. But you will need your own contents insurance to claim for your belongings.

It's also worth taking photos or a short video of each room and your valuables and keeping receipts for expensive items somewhere safe. This makes it much easier to prove what you owned if you ever need to claim.

And when your policy comes up for renewal, shop around – premiums vary hugely between insurers.

During a storm: Stay safe and stay inside

Keep an eye on Jersey Met warnings and follow any advice from the Government of Jersey.

Stay indoors where you can, keep doors and windows closed, and draw your curtains in case glass breaks. Keep well away from the coast.

However tempting it is, don't go outside to fix damage while the storm is still blowing – no repair is worth the risk to your safety.

After a storm: Record everything

Once it's safe to go outside, check your home for damage and contact your insurer as soon as possible.

• Photograph or film any damage before you start clearing up.
• Only carry out temporary repairs needed to stop things getting worse – covering a broken window or a hole in the roof, for example – and keep every receipt.
• Don't throw damaged items away until your insurer says you can, as they may want to see them.
• Keep a note of every call and email with your insurer, including dates and names.

Choosing someone to do the repairs

After a big storm, demand for tradespeople soars. Unfortunately, so does the number of cowboys. Ask your insurer first, as many have approved repairers. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door offering to fix something, and whether you use a local or off-Island firm, follow our three golden rules:

1. Never pay for a quote. A firm that insists on payment before it has even visited your home is a red flag – go elsewhere.
2. Don't pay off-Island companies up front. If a business returns to the UK before starting the work, you'll have very little chance of getting your money back.
3. Get it in writing. Have a contract or written agreement in place before work starts, setting out the cost, the timescale and any warranty. It will protect you if the work is poor or left unfinished.

It's also sensible to check that the tradesperson has the right qualifications and that they follow proper health and safety procedures.

What to do if your insurer won't pay out

If your claim is turned down and you believe you have a strong case, ask your insurer for its complaints policy and follow its appeals process. If that doesn't resolve things, tell them you're taking the matter to the ombudsman. Which one depends on where your insurer is based – most are UK companies covered by the UK Financial Ombudsman Service, while some fall under the Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman. Your insurer can tell you which applies.