What Evidence Does Your Insurer Need After Roof Damage?

Start with photographs

Photographs are the backbone of a claim. Take them before anything is tidied up or temporarily repaired. Cover the whole house first, then the damaged area, then close-ups. Include the damage seen from the garden, any debris or fallen tiles, the ceiling and walls inside, wet insulation if you can reach it safely, and damaged belongings. Make sure the date is recorded, either in the file details or by writing it in the frame. Take wide shots that show where the damage sits, as well as close ones that show the detail. Stay on the ground and do not climb up to take pictures, because a roofer can do that safely later. If you have a phone with a good zoom, use it from an upstairs window, and save the originals rather than screenshots so the date and location data stay attached.

Record what happened and when

Write a short account while it is fresh: the date and time of the storm, the wind or rain you noticed, when you first saw the damage, and what you did. If a tree fell or an object hit the house, say so, with names and addresses if it came from a neighbour's property. Check the weather on the day. The Met Office publishes records and storm warnings, and a named storm or a recorded gust adds weight. Insurers separate sudden storm damage from gradual wear, and a clear time line helps. Our guide to storm damage or wear and tear explains how they decide.

What a roofer's report adds

A report from a roofer who has inspected the roof gives the insurer an independent view. It should say what was found, where, what the likely cause is, and what repair is needed, with photographs, taken close up. A good report distinguishes between new damage and old defects. It should not overstate. A roofer who is honest that a tile is worn rather than storm-hit does you a favour, because an exaggerated claim can harm a genuine one. We provide a photographic survey and a written price. You can use it with your insurer, though they may send their own assessor.

Keep receipts and damaged parts

Keep receipts for emergency measures, such as a temporary cover, buckets, drying equipment, a call-out, or somewhere to stay if the home is unfit. Keep broken tiles, slates or fittings until the insurer says you can dispose of them, since the assessor may want to see them. Keep copies of every email and note any phone calls with the date, the name of the person you spoke to and what they said.

Limit the damage

Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further harm. That might be arranging a tarpaulin, moving belongings or drying out a room. Reasonable steps are usually reimbursed as part of the claim, but check the wording. Do not authorise permanent repairs before the insurer agrees, unless the work is urgent. Our guides on temporary roof repairs and claiming off house insurance for a leaking roof go through the sequence.

Contents, alternative accommodation and excess

A roof claim often has more than one part. Buildings cover pays for the roof and the structure. Contents cover pays for damaged furniture, carpets and electrical items, so list and photograph those too, with approximate age and cost. Some policies include alternative accommodation if a room cannot be lived in. Know your excess, the amount you pay first, because a small repair may cost less than that, and the sensible choice may be to pay for it yourself. A claim can also affect future premiums, so ask your insurer how they record enquiries before you make one.

Mistakes that weaken a claim

• Throwing away damaged materials before they have been recorded.
• Leaving a known leak for weeks, so damage spreads.
• Going up on the roof to check and being hurt, or causing more damage.
• Accepting a cash-in-hand quote that gives no written description of the fault.
• Claiming for old, worn-out parts as though they were storm damage.

Our part

When we attend, we photograph the roof from several angles, record the position of every fault, and give you a clear written explanation to go with your claim. If the damage is minor, we say so, as a small repair paid out of pocket may cost less than the excess. The detail of our repair work sits under emergency and general roof repairs.