Roof Storm Damage: Claims and Insurance Guide

Insurance Claim: The Timeline to Follow

The legal deadline for declaring a storm claim to your insurer is 5 working days after discovering the damage (not after the storm date). In the case of a natural disaster decree published in the Official Journal, this deadline is extended to 10 days. These deadlines are strict: a delay can result in total or partial refusal of cover. Do not hesitate, even if you haven't had the damage costed yet.

Your declaration must contain the following: your contact details and policy number, the approximate date and time of the event, the nature of the claim (storm, hail, snow), a detailed description of the damage found, supporting photos and videos, a first estimate of the damage (even approximate), and invoices for any emergency work (tarping, making weathertight).

Send your declaration by recorded delivery letter to your insurer. You can also submit online via your insurer's customer portal, by phone, or in person, but always follow up with a recorded letter which constitutes legal proof with a certified date. Keep a copy of everything you send.

Important tip: if the storm was the subject of a natural disaster decree (CatNat), mention this explicitly in your declaration. CatNat cover is mandatory in all multi-risk home insurance policies and offers broader coverage than standard storm cover.

Assessment and Compensation: How It Works

For damage below a certain threshold (typically €1,500 to €3,000 depending on the insurer), the insurer proceeds with direct compensation based on your declaration and photos. This is the most common scenario for minor roof damage (a few blown-off tiles).

For more significant damage, the insurer will appoint a loss adjuster who will visit your property to assess the damage on site. This adjuster is paid by the insurer — they are not independent. They will draft a report with a costing of the necessary works. You have the right to dispute their assessment if you think it is undervalued.

Crucial advice: get your own quote from a professional roofer BEFORE the adjuster's visit. This counter-quote is your best negotiation tool. It shows the adjuster that you know the true value of the works and strengthens your position in case of disagreement. At Toit des Dômes, we produce detailed, item-by-item quotes that meet insurer requirements.

Compensation generally covers reinstatement to identical condition (same material, same quality), minus the contractual excess (often €300 to €500 for storms) and a possible depreciation coefficient on materials. The depreciation coefficient is a percentage discount applied based on the age and condition of damaged materials. For a 30-year-old roof, this coefficient can reach 30 to 40%.

Counter-Assessment: Your Rights in Case of Disagreement

If you consider the insurer's adjuster's offer insufficient, you have the right to request a counter-assessment. You can appoint your own assessor, at your expense (€500 to €1,500 depending on complexity). If the two assessors cannot agree, a third (arbiter) is jointly appointed, and their decision is binding on both parties.

Before engaging a costly counter-assessment, start by disputing the initial valuation in writing, attaching your own detailed quotes. In many cases, the insurer revises their offer after receiving realistic counter-quotes. Dialogue is often more effective than confrontation.

Also note that you are not obliged to have the work done by the company suggested by the insurer. You are free to choose your roofer. The insurer pays you the compensation, and you have the work carried out by the professional of your choice.

Absolute Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not carry out permanent repairs before the adjuster's visit (except emergency protective measures). If you completely replace the roof before the assessment, the insurer may dispute the amount or refuse cover on the grounds that they could not verify the damage. Emergency work (tarping, making weathertight) is authorised and reimbursed — permanent repair work must wait for the adjuster's green light.

Beware of 'storm chasers': after every major weather event, itinerant firms (sometimes without a registered office, without 10-year warranty insurance, without qualifications) canvass door-to-door with prices inflated by 30 to 50%. They exploit the urgency and anxiety of homeowners to push excessive quotes and sometimes shoddy work. Always check: business registration, valid 10-year warranty insurance, verifiable physical address, and online customer reviews.

Never sign a quote under door-to-door pressure. You have a 14-day cooling-off period for any contract signed away from business premises (at your home). Take time to compare quotes and verify the professional's credentials.

At Toit des Dômes, we are a local craftsman established in Clermont-Ferrand for over 25 years. We support you at every stage: emergency response (tarping within 24-48h), detailed quote for your insurance file, attendance at the adjuster's visit if you wish, and repair work with 10-year warranty. Call 06 25 09 58 10 — no canvassing, no pressure.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Protecting Your Roof Before the Storm

Storms are unpredictable, but their damage can be limited by preventive maintenance. Have your ridge fixings, hip ridges, and ventilated closers checked every year — they are the first elements to fail in high winds. Replace cracked or porous tiles that risk shattering on impact. Prune tree branches that overhang your roof.

If you live in a particularly wind-exposed area (Allier valley, Gergovie plateau, Chaîne des Puys foothills), consider reinforcing your tile fixings. Storm clips or screw fixings can secure the most exposed tiles — along the eaves, at the ridge, and on slopes facing the prevailing wind — for a modest cost compared to the potential damage from a storm.