Home insurance firm Admiral has written to customers on Friday morning with a message about storm damage with a warning about what isn’t covered.
As Storm Eowyn rages and causes havoc across the UK including power cuts, travel disruption and a ‘danger to life’, the home insurance firm has sent a message to customers via email to tell them that certain types of storm related damage will not be covered by home insurance.
Admiral emailed customers on Friday morning with a message which said: “It looks like there’s a weather warning in your area for an increased chance of wind and rain storms.
“Please be aware damage to fences and hedges aren’t covered under your Admiral policy, so before the storm begins, secure any loose gates or fence posts.”
In its home insurance policy information, Admiral continues: “What we cover –
“Under storm conditions, your home insurance policy covers: wind damage; water damage; damage caused by snow or hail; During cold weather, you’re also covered for frozen pipes inside your home.
“What we don’t cover: gates, fences or hedges; damage caused by wear and tear; unfinished alterations or extensions.”
This policy is mirrored by AXA, which says in its home insurance information on storms: “Please note, AXA home insurance policies don’t cover damage to fences following a storm or flooding.”
AXA also states that its customers are expected to ‘take all reasonable precautions’ to ‘avoid injury, loss or damage’ and ‘take all reasonable steps to safeguard all the property insured from loss or damage’.
It added under the ‘what your policy does not cover’ section: “Loss or damage “to boundary and garden walls, gates, hedges and fences, paths and drives, artificial lawns, patios, decking, terraces, tennis hard courts and swimming pools unless the home has been damaged at the same time by the same cause.”
The Met Office said in its rare red weather warning on Friday: “Very strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn causing very dangerous conditions and significant disruption on Friday.
Southwesterly then westerly winds will rapidly increase from west to east Friday mid-morning onwards into the afternoon, with peak gusts of 80-90 mph fairly widely and perhaps up to 100 mph along exposed western coasts. This brings the risk of significant disruption to transport and power supplies as well as dangerous conditions outdoors. Winds will gradually ease through Friday evening.”