Maths Whizz Needed! - insurance claim & wind speed

Tygermoth

Hi All

During storm Christoph part of our roof was ripped off and handily dumped itself on my neighbours car and front porch. 
I called at the time and the claim was turned down immediately due to the wind speed at the local weather station only being 40MPH and 'storm' under the policy being 55MPH. So they concluded it was wear and tear (on a ten year old roof) 

However the weather station is 6 miles away on a plain (as the crow flies) and at 111M above sea level
The property is 414M above sea level on the very top of a hill and we get some serious wind. 
Apparently this is the calculation to work out the wind speed between the two points and as it would require me to use more than my fingers and toes i'm very lost 


If anyone could help, I would be most grateful as the all the damage cost a small fortune so I want to see if I have the potential to take this up with the insurer.  

Sandtree

May be worth reading Storm damage (financial-ombudsman.org.uk) which covers how the Ombudsman reacts to cases where an insurer says weather didnt meet their definition of storm.

Unfortunately the formula requires you to know alpha which is wind sheer... a quick look online shows another formula thats based on roughness length and that gives example values for different settings (still water, farmland, small town, major city etc). Assuming you are in a small town it gives an approximate wind speed of 49mph (the more built up the area the higher the number would be)

Tygermoth

Thank you Sandtree - I did see that set of calculators and the wind sheer one - but it added to my confusion. i will check the guidance and then have a chat with the insurers i don't have anything to lose as they would have already marked the declined claim against my policy 

Sea_Shell

Are they quoting average windspeed during the "storm"?   Are they taking into account gusts?

Gusts can be very localised and strong, compared to the wind in general.

Have you employed your own assessor to give a report on the overall condition of the roof?

Sea_Shell

Are your neighbours claiming from you for the damage to their car etc.

If so, that would be under the liability section of your policy, not storm.

If so, this may be a catch 22 situation.

Storm = no liability, negligence for TP damage.

Wear and tear = possible liability, negligence on your part.


As I understand it.

Sea_Shell

Actually, do you mean the main tiled roof of your house, or a flat roof section of a garage or extension?

Is the whole house only 10 years old?

theoretica

What about getting an anemometer and measuring how much higher your readings are than the weather station?

Hasbeen

Tygermoth said:

Hi All

During storm Christoph part of our roof was ripped off and handily dumped itself on my neighbours car and front porch. 
I called at the time and the claim was turned down immediately due to the wind speed at the local weather station only being 40MPH and 'storm' under the policy being 55MPH. So they concluded it was wear and tear (on a ten year old roof) 

However the weather station is 6 miles away on a plain (as the crow flies) and at 111M above sea level
The property is 414M above sea level on the very top of a hill and we get some serious wind. 
Apparently this is the calculation to work out the wind speed between the two points and as it would require me to use more than my fingers and toes i'm very lost 


If anyone could help, I would be most grateful as the all the damage cost a small fortune so I want to see if I have the potential to take this up with the insurer.  

Part of the roof? like below? 



Or are you talking about tiles?



Get an independent assessor in, and talk to insurance about other property damage in your area regards wind gusts etc.

But 10 year old houses do also require regular maintenance including roof inspections.

mattyprice4004

theoretica said:

What about getting an anemometer and measuring how much higher your readings are than the weather station?

This is the best solution IMO 

Tygermoth

Thank you for the replies.
@Hasbeen first picture (not nearly as bad though) - the damage was in the same place on the end gable but not so far in
We have drone footage of the roof that shows its in great condition, no moss, no slipped or missing tiles. 
Sadly due to the storm damage in the area, the fact that it was working at four storeys meant I could only get a single guy. He was a great roofer and did a brilliant job, but not fantastic with paperwork/written word so basically declined to do any form of report - just the repair & invoice.

Tygermoth

Sorry @Sea_Shell i missed your questions. Its the main pitched roof on top of three storeys, slate tiled and the whole house is 10 years old.