General Insurance Article - Does my home insurance policy protect me from heatwaves

 These record payouts, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), come after a period of significant extreme weather, including Storm Eowyn, which the Met Office characterised as the UK's most powerful storm in a decade.

 Extreme weather events cause significant home damage, influencing insurance premiums and claim excesses. Insurers determine premiums based on risk assessment. An increase in such events escalates the frequency and severity of claims, raising coverage costs as providers transfer these expenses to customers.

 As a heatwave continues to grip many parts of the UK, home insurance claims may increase due to temperature-related damage. Liz Hunter, Commercial Director at MoneyExpert, explores this issue further, looking into the potential harm heatwaves pose to UK properties, whether your home insurance covers you for extreme weather and what to do if you’re affected.

 Cracked walls and foundations - Prolonged heat and very dry ground can cause subsidence, or ground shrinkage, which means you might start to see large cracks in your walls, foundations, paths and driveways.

 Damage to roofing and gutters - The intense sun and heat has the power to warp roofing materials, which causes tiles to crack or move. This can then lead to long term issues such as leaking roofs and drainage issues. Guttering, particularly uPVC, can be weakened by prolonged heat and sunlight, causing them to warp or become brittle.

 Melted sealants and paint - Extreme, prolonged heat has the potential to soften or even melt window and door sealants, which can cause issues with leaks and the fit of your property's windows and doors. Exterior paint can also be affected, with the heat blistering paintwork on walls, windows, doors and other exterior surfaces.

 Damage to pipes and plumbing - The heat could cause damage to your plumbing, particularly if it’s outside the home. The high temperatures can cause pipes to expand or deform, which could lead to leaks in the future.

 Issues with condensation and mould - If the weather suddenly cools or turns wet after a heatwave, it can lead to excess moisture build-up. This can cause damp and mould in poorly ventilated properties.

 Your policy will clearly set out what damage you’re insured for, and list any exclusions that apply. Most insurers define extreme weather in more detail in their policies and will let you know whether you’re covered or not. If there are unprecedented or unexpected weather conditions, some insurers may define these events as an ‘act of God’. This could leave you without cover and having to pay for the damage yourself.

 It’s important to look at the specific wording in your home insurance policy along with the terms and conditions, or speak with the insurer directly to see whether they cover your home for severe weather events, so you aren’t caught out if you need to claim in future.

 Bear in mind, you will still need to pay any excess if you claim on your home insurance damage following an extreme weather event, so it might be worth checking whether the cost of repairs is significantly more than the excess. It may not be worth going through your insurer if the damage won’t cost that much to fix. Before going ahead with a claim, it’s also worth remembering that your premiums will most likely increase upon renewal of your policy.

 Finally, if you’re not satisfied with the way a claim or complaint was handled by your insurer, then you can contact the Financial Ombudsman service.