New house insurance seems to now not include storm damage

freeisgood

My new house insurance quote now has a big clause at the bottom stating this about storm damage …

“Storm -A storm is a period of violent weather defined as wind speeds with gusts of at least 48 knots or 55 mph (equivalent to storm force 10 on the beaufort scale) and/or torrential rainfall at a rate of at least 25mm per hour and/or snow to a depth of at least one foot (30 cm) in 24 hours and/or hail of such intensity that it causes damage to hard surfaces or breaks glass.

Well-maintained homes are unlikely to be damaged by less violent weather than defined as a storm, whereas violent weather conditions can cause damage to well-maintained homes, it's important to maintain your property, like for example: Fixing loose Roof tiles, replacing cement that has worn away, or repairing loose or missing lead flashing around the chimney and roof area. These are just some of the things that can then cause issues to your home, that could have been prevented. Payment of a claim will be subject to Policy Conditions: This policy doesn't cover section”

I’m having difficulty understanding this clause as we would think storm damage will be covered. House is in good condition and only 10 years old.

I have no idea if this is means that they won’t pay out if there’s a big storm.

I live on the top of a hill and it gets very windy.., Should I change provider?

(Interestingly, another clause was to do with cyber attacks.So obviously worrying about something happening I’m not fussed about this because I don’t have any computer)

 thank you very much

freeisgood

I should add it quoted ahead of this paragraph on storms that it is something that would not be covered

user1977

Which bit do you have difficulty in understanding? It looks like they're just spelling out what they deem to be a "storm" - and are helpfully doing so at this stage rather than after you make a claim.

DullGreyGuy

Most insurers have a definition of storm and often its measured on windspeed and/or precipitation rate 

Just means if you see a roof tile fall off on a windy day and the insurer checks the weather reports and they state it was 20mph winds then you won't be covered for it. If the report says its 90mph winds you probably will be covered though it may be declined if its found the roof is in a general bad state of repair. 

Being on a top of a hill can be problematic, especially if the local weather stations are in a shielded valley however the ombudsman does consider this when looking at complaints to a degree depending on the exact wording of the definition. 

freeisgood

Thanks for clarifying it doesn’t take much to confuse me

BarelySentientAI

freeisgood said:

Payment of a claim will be subject to Policy Conditions: This policy doesn't cover section”

The "Policy Conditions: This policy doesn't cover" section explains to you what the policy doesn't cover.

It probably says you are covered for "Storms" - hence why there is a chunky definition of what a "Storm" is - but not covered for high winds that aren't strong enough to be a "Storm".

It's common for policies to have this in.

Just like it probably says not covered for theft if you go out and leave the doors unlocked.

I think you haven't quoted the bit that matters though.