Most storm damage claims go smoothly when the homeowner has a few things in order. This is the practical side of what helps, from the roofing end. It is general information, not insurance advice. Your policy and your insurer have the final say on what is covered.
What should I do first after storm damage?
- Make sure everyone is safe. Keep away from fallen wires, sagging ceilings and anything that might drop from the roof edge.
- Contain water inside where you can, and turn off power to any affected circuits.
- Take photos and video before anything is moved or cleaned up: the roof from the ground, ceilings, walls, floors and damaged belongings.
- Contact your insurer to start the claim. Many insurers have a storm claims line and an online form.
- Arrange a make-safe to stop more water getting in. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Photograph first, clean up second. Pictures taken before anything is moved are the most useful evidence you will have.
Can I get the roof made safe before the insurer sees it?
In most cases, yes, and you generally should. Insurers do not expect you to leave a hole in the roof open while you wait for an assessor. Keep a record of the make-safe: photos before and after, and the invoice. Ask the roofer to photograph the damage before covering it. If you are unsure, call your insurer and ask how they want emergency work handled. Some insurers send their own make-safe contractors after major storms.
What will the insurer want from a roofer?
Usually a written report and a quote. The report should describe what is damaged, what likely caused it, and what repair is needed. Insurers look closely at the cause, because most policies treat sudden storm damage differently from wear and tear or gradual deterioration. A good report is factual. It describes what the roofer saw, with photos, and does not overstate it.
- Clear photos of the damage on the roof and the entry point for any water.
- A description of the damage and the likely cause, such as wind-lifted sheets, hail-cracked tiles or a fallen branch.
- The condition of the roof around the damage, which helps show what the storm did and what was already there.
- A scope of the repair and an itemised quote.
Why do some roof claims get knocked back?
The most common reason is that the insurer decides the damage came from wear and tear rather than the storm. For example, water that came through old, cracked ridge pointing during heavy rain may be treated as a maintenance issue, while tiles smashed by a falling branch are clearly storm damage. Policies differ on this, so read the product disclosure statement for how yours defines storm, rainwater and maintenance exclusions. If you disagree with a decision, your insurer must have an internal complaints process, and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority handles disputes that are not resolved.
Should I keep the damaged materials?
Where you reasonably can, yes. Broken tiles, a torn section of gutter or a damaged skylight dome can help the assessor understand what happened. Ask your insurer before throwing anything away.
Can I choose my own roofer for the repair?
That depends on your policy and your insurer. Some insurers manage the repair through their own builders. Others pay you a cash settlement or accept a quote from a roofer you choose. Ask early, so you know whether to get your own quote. Either way, you can ask for a copy of any roofing report written about your home.
What about strata buildings?
In a strata building the roof is usually common property, so the claim normally goes through the owners corporation's building insurance, arranged by the strata manager. Damage to your own contents is generally a matter for your contents policy. Report the damage to your strata manager straight away with photos.
We provide make-safes, photo reports and repair quotes for storm damage across central Sydney. See emergency and storm damage for how that works, and roof leak repairs for the permanent fix once the claim is sorted.
