Insurance Claim Denials for Storm Damage Spark Disputes Over Wind Speeds

Insured individuals whose storm damage claims were denied have voiced their concerns, following an initial refusal for one man due to wind speeds being 2mph below the required threshold. Dennis Iliffe reported that his insurance provider initially stated that wind speeds in Kidderminster during Storm Darragh reached 53mph, which was slightly less than the 55mph necessary for a claim. Furthermore, individuals nationwide have reached out to the BBC, reporting that their claims were declined on the grounds that it was “not windy enough.” The Association of British Insurers (ABI) indicated that insurance companies consider wind strength, advising that customers who are dissatisfied may lodge a complaint with their insurer and subsequently escalate the matter to the ombudsman. Regarding Mr. Iliffe, his insurer, Ageas, subsequently consented to resolve the claim following his communication with the BBC. A separate individual residing in nearby Powick reported that their claim was turned down by another insurance provider because the wind speed only reached 49mph, even though the felt was detached from their garage roof. A reader from Stockport also informed the BBC that their insurer similarly denied a claim related to wind speed during Storm Darragh, despite a significant portion of the roof above their bedroom “landing on the front lawn.” Andy Kearney, aged 79, from Cornwall, stated that his residence is situated above sea level, overlooking open fields close to the sea. Following severe weather that dislodged roof tiles and extensively damaged his chimney, necessitating its replacement, his insurance company declined to provide coverage. He stated, “My insurer refused to pay out, saying the wind speed was not severe enough to cause that damage on that date.” However, he pointed out that the wind speed gauge utilized was positioned 250 metres lower and in a location offering greater shelter from gales. In south Wales, Lyndon Witts, 71, reported that his insurer denied a claim subsequent to his roof developing a leak. Characterizing the situation as “a joke,” Mr. Witts, from Caerphilly, recounted that his company informed him it was “not windy enough and not enough rain fall.” The storm from the previous weekend caused widespread damage throughout the nation. A Coventry resident reported that the wind dislodged ridge tiles from their semi-detached property, resulting in the shattering of their new car’s sunroof and damage to other components. Although insurers have committed to repairing the currently leaking roof, the homeowners were compelled to utilize their savings to cover additional repairs. In Oswestry, Shropshire, another woman stated she was obliged to spend £800 on repairing a manhole and other damages after sewage infiltrated her residence. Angela Clarke, 70, of North Lincolnshire, reported that her chimney sustained significant damage during storms, and her aerial was also dislodged. She commented, “Insurance refused to pay, saying the problem was caused by cracks in the flaunching rather than the storm that blew it loose.” Characterizing her insurance provider as “horrendously unhelpful,” she recounted informing them that the chimney stack would be unable to endure another storm and posed a risk of falling, potentially causing injury or death, or collapsing through the roof. She added, “They really couldn’t care less, which left us very distressed.” “Fortunately, the local authority helped us by doing an emergency interim repair after agreeing it could endanger life,” she stated. According to her, a roofer informed her that almost all claims for storm damage affecting chimneys were being rejected by insurance companies. For her, the repair of the chimney incurred a cost exceeding £1,000. Age UK advises that individuals affected by flooding, in particular, should retain damaged possessions as proof instead of immediately commencing cleanup efforts. The ABI encouraged individuals whose initial claim is rejected to file a complaint with their insurers, and if dissatisfaction persists, to refer the matter to the Financial Services Ombudsman for adjudication. The ombudsman confirmed that its service is complimentary and provides consumers with an impartial and independent decision for every case. Its website states that its general position is “that damage can occur even when the wind speed is lower than level 10 on the Beaufort scale,” which begins at 48 knots, or 55mph. Mr. Iliffe’s situation illustrates that insurance providers are capable of altering their stance on claims, as Ageas indicated it had rescinded its initial decision subsequent to requesting “additional information.” An ABI spokeswoman commented: “Insurers expect bad weather at any time and their priority is always to help their affected customers recover as quickly as possible.” She further stated: “When assessing a claim for wind damage caused by a storm, insurers will often look to understand if the wind was strong enough to damage an otherwise well-maintained property.” The ABI noted that each insurer adopts a distinct approach to processing claims. While there are established minimum criteria for defining a storm, insurers retain the discretion to employ their individual definitions. Given the increasing frequency and intensity of weather events, the ABI emphasized the importance of enhancing building resilience and ensuring structures are built to a standard capable of enduring more powerful winds. For updates, follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.