Named Atlantic storms hit the North Wales coast hard, and Llandudno's exposed seafront and elevated properties take the worst of it. This page explains what to do when storm damage strikes, how the insurance claims journey works, and how we help you through it — distinct from our general emergency call-out.
What to Do First When a Storm Damages Your Roof
The first 24 hours matter, both for your safety and your claim. Stay off the roof — storm-damaged roofs are dangerous and your insurer does not expect you to climb up. Photograph the damage from the ground and any water coming in inside. Contain the water and move what you can. Then call us to make the roof safe: a temporary cover or tarpaulin stops further damage while the claim is processed. Making safe is not just allowed under your policy — it is expected, because insurers require you to mitigate further loss.
Key fact: Insurers generally define a 'storm' as involving wind speeds of around 47–55mph (Force 9) or above, or otherwise violent weather; damage from such an event is typically covered, whereas gradual wear and pre-existing disrepair is not. Source: Association of British Insurers (ABI) storm damage guidance
The Insurance Claims Journey
A storm-damage claim runs in a predictable sequence, and knowing it removes a lot of the stress. You report the claim; the insurer may appoint a loss adjuster for larger claims; we provide a written, photographed report establishing that the damage is storm-related (not wear and tear); the repair is agreed; we carry it out and the insurer settles. Our report is the pivot point — a clear professional assessment linking the damage to the storm event is what gets a claim approved. We write ours specifically for that purpose.
Storm Damage We See in Llandudno
Llandudno's exposure produces a recognisable pattern of storm damage. On seafront and promenade terraces, it is slates and ridge tiles stripped by wind uplift, and lead flashings peeled back at chimneys. On elevated properties near the Great and Little Orme, wind funnelling lifts whole sections of covering. Inland, it is more often fallen branches puncturing roofs and blocked valleys overflowing during the downpour. Whatever the cause, we make it safe first and sort the claim second.
Storm Damage vs Wear and Tear
The line that decides most claims is whether the damage is storm-related or pre-existing. A slate lifted by a Force 10 gust is a storm claim; a slate that was already loose from nail sickness and finally fell is wear and tear, which policies exclude. This is exactly why an independent professional report matters — and why we assess honestly. Overstating a claim helps nobody and can invalidate it; a clear, accurate report is what gets legitimate damage paid for.