Preparing for extreme weather

Storm preparation checklist:

1. Review your insurance policy

Having the right cover in place can make all the difference. Some Cornish Mutual policies include cover for damage caused by a specific storm event as standard, but not all. Our farm policies offer it as an additional cover needing to be selected, so it’s important to check the details of your policy or speak to us directly to make sure you have the cover you require.

2. Check your property and outbuildings

When bad weather is forecast, take time to:

• Secure loose items (garden furniture, trampolines, tools, bins)
• Check roof tiles, flashing and guttering for signs of movement or wear
• Close and fasten doors, windows, gates and sheds
• Move vehicles away from trees, older structures or unstable wall

Even minor issues like a loose roof tile can become a bigger problem in high winds. 

3. Plan for power cuts

Storm Goretti caused widespread disruption, including loss of power, fallen trees and school closures. It’s a good idea to keep the basics handy:

• Torch and spare batteries
• Phone power banks charged
• A list of important phone numbers (including our Claims Team – 01872 277151)

4. Assess trees near buildings

Trees and falling branches are a common cause of storm damage, impacting roofs, vehicles and farm buildings. Insurance generally doesn’t cover pre-emptive tree management, this remains your responsibility, but if you have older trees near buildings, it’s worth arranging inspection or maintenance ahead of storm season.

 

After the storm: what to do if you have damage

1. Make things safe, but don’t put yourself at risk

If there is immediate danger (fallen cables, unstable roofs, trapped trees), contact emergency services or a qualified professional.

2. Take photos and keep evidence

This is one of the most helpful things you can do.

• Photograph all visible damage (inside and outside)
• If you lose food due to a power cut, take photos before disposal
• Keep receipts/invoices for emergency repairs

The more information you can provide, the easier it is for us to help you. 

3. Contact us as soon as possible

Call us on 01872 277151. If you’re unsure what’s covered, don’t worry, we will help guide you through the process. 

 

Storm damage cover: what’s included?

Most property insurance policies will automatically cover storm damage, but it’s always important to check the cover you have. 

Cornish Mutual property policies often include cover for storm-related damage to buildings. A building in a good state of repair should be able to withstand normal weather conditions. Because of this, the insurance policy excludes damage to buildings in poor condition, or damage caused gradually through wear and tear.

For Members with farm policies, storm cover must be added. Where storm cover is included in your insurance policy it relates to damage caused by a ‘specific event’. This usually involves violent winds, and is often accompanied by rain, hail or snow. Rain, hail or snow by itself can also constitute a storm where there are high volumes in a short period of time or conditions are extreme.

If you’re unsure which policy you hold or what excess applies, we recommend checking your documents and/or contacting us.

 

FAQs on Extreme Weather:

1. Does my policy cover storm damage?

In many cases, storm damage to buildings is covered under Cornish Mutual property policies, but it’s important to confirm what your cover includes. Policies generally won’t cover damage caused by wear and tear, even if it becomes noticeable after a storm. For Members with farm policies, storm cover must be added.

2. Are fences, gates and hedges covered in a storm?

This depends on your policy type.

·       Home insurance: may cover fences only if the main building or outbuildings are also damaged.

·       Farm / Let Property: fences, gates and hedges are typically excluded. 

If you’re unsure, we’ll talk you through it. 

3. If a tree falls and damages my building, is that covered?

If a tree falls and damages your building during a storm, your policy will cover the resulting damage if your policy provides cover for storm. 

4. Do you pay for tree removal after a storm?

Cornish Mutual covers the cost of removing a tree to allow repairs to a damaged building if you have storm damage cover. However, if you do not have storm cover or if a tree has simply fallen without causing damage, it is not covered.

5. A tree fell into my garden but didn’t hit anything, can you help?

Unfortunately not. If there is no damage to insured buildings, Cornish Mutual does not cover the cost of removal. 

6. My neighbour’s tree damaged my property, whose insurance covers it?

If your policy covers your buildings for storm, your Cornish Mutual policy will deal with repairs to your buildings. 

7. My tree has damaged my neighbour’s property, do I need to claim?

In most cases, no. Your neighbour should claim through their own insurer, because owning a tree doesn’t automatically mean you are at fault. 

For a third party to claim against you, it typically needs to be proved the damage was caused due to your negligence (fault). 

8. How do I make a claim?

If you need to make a claim, contact us as soon as possible. Follow these simple steps to help your claim progress smoothly:

• Collect important information:

Try to have the relevant details to hand, including what happened (the circumstances), a description of the damage or loss and details of any third parties involved. Doing this as soon as possible helps while events are still fresh in your mind.

• Support your claim with evidence:

You may be asked to provide proof of ownership or evidence to support your claim, such as original purchase receipts, photographs, bank statements, instruction booklets.

• Photograph damage and keep anything relevant:

Where possible, don’t complete repairs before reporting your claim. Make sure you take clear photos of the damage, keep estimates and invoices, and any broken parts as they may help support your claim.

• Share any reference numbers:

If emergency services have attended (such as police or fire), share all incident or crime reference numbers with the Claims Technician handling your claim.

If you’re unsure what to do at any stage, we’ll guide you through the process and let you know what information we need.

9. Why is it important to report a claim as soon as possible?

Delays can affect your claim and, in some cases, leave you uncovered. Reporting a claim promptly is important because:

• We can appoint the right impartial expert quickly, such as a loss adjuster for property claims or a motor engineer for vehicle claims. They can assess the cause and extent of the loss, confirm what cover applies, and help reach a fair settlement where needed.
• It reduces the risk of further damage, for example from a faulty or burst water pipe. In some cases, we may be able to involve restoration experts to help minimise damage early on.
• Evidence can be lost over time, such as CCTV footage being overwritten or witness details becoming harder to obtain.
• We can guide you on next steps, such as gathering estimates or the right supporting evidence. For lost or stolen items this could include proof of purchase, such as a receipt or bank statement.

10. Will storm claims involve a loss adjuster?

If the damage is significant and covered, we may appoint a loss adjuster to assess the damage and support you through the process. 

 

Need help after a storm or extreme weather event?

If you’ve been affected by a storm or extreme weather event, please contact us as soon as possible. And remember, you don’t need to be an expert in policy wording. Cornish Mutual is here to help you understand what’s covered and what to do next. 

Contact the Cornish Mutual Claims Team on 01872 277151.