Storm Austen: Will home insurance pay out if my home is damaged?

Storm Austen: Will home insurance pay out if my home is damaged? It can be stressful if your home is damaged by bad weather - but what exactly does your home insurance cover? A yellow weather warning for wind is in place for parts of England and Wales as Storm Austen hits parts of the UK. Gusts of 80mph have been forecast in the South West, as tens of thousands of people have been left without power. Storm Boelo is then expected to land over the weekend, with amber wind warnings in place this Saturday and Sunday in Scotland and parts of Northern England. But what happens if your property gets damaged by the storm - and will your home insurance cover all the costs? Home insurance generally covers storm damage through a combination of buildings insurance for the structure of your property and contents insurance for your belongings. But most standard policies exclude storm damage to garden fences, gates, and boundary walls. It is important to read through your documents carefully to check what you are covered for. Storms can bring heavy rain and as many parts of the country are still in drought, it may be more difficult for excess water to drain away quickly, causing localised flooding. Most standard home insurance in the UK typically includes flood cover. New analysis by Aviva reveals a fifth (20%) of all home insurance claims are for storm damage - and of these, the majority (84%) occur during autumn and winter. Laura Lazarus, director of home and lifestyle claims at Aviva, said: "Although the UK has experienced warmer than average temperatures for many months this year, as autumn gets underway and weather patterns become more changeable, we urge homeowners to take steps to protect their homes. “Taking action when the weather is milder is the best way to ensure your home is ready for extreme weather.“ Get your home ready for winter weather - Inspect your roof for any missing or loose tiles - Safely store away garden furniture - Ensure gutters and downpipes are attached securely - Listen out for flood warnings - Move your car to higher ground and move valuables to a higher level - Prepare a storm or flood emergency kit - Read your home insurance documents