Storm damage now? Call 0186 580 3181 for a same-day make-safe across Oxford — we document everything for your insurer.
When a storm strips tiles or lifts flashing, two things matter at once: stopping the water, and getting your insurance claim right. Oxford gets its share of winter gales sweeping up the Thames valley, and every year we attend roofs damaged overnight. This guide walks through exactly what to do, in order, so you protect both your home and your claim.
The First Hour: Make Safe, Don't Climb
The single most important thing after storm damage is to stay off the roof. Wet, wind-damaged roofs are lethal, and a fall costs far more than any tile. From the ground, note what you can see — missing tiles, a displaced ridge, hanging flashing, debris in the garden. Inside, put buckets under any drips and move furniture and valuables clear of water. Then call a roofer for an emergency make-safe: a temporary weatherproof covering that stops the ingress until a permanent repair can be quoted and scheduled.
Documenting for Your Insurer
Your insurance claim lives or dies on evidence. Before anything is cleared away, photograph everything: the damage from the ground, any tiles or debris that have come down, water damage inside, and the date and time. Keep the fallen materials if it is safe to — an insurer or their assessor may want to see them. When we attend a storm-damage make-safe in Oxford, we photograph the damage from a safe vantage or by drone, and provide a written record of what we found and what we did, which supports your claim.
What Insurers Typically Cover
Storm damage is usually covered under buildings insurance, but the detail matters. Insurers generally cover sudden damage from a genuine storm event — and they define "storm" by wind speed, so a claim after a mild breezy day may be rejected. They typically do not cover damage that results from a roof that was already in poor repair; if the tiles came off because the roof was worn out rather than because of exceptional wind, the insurer may argue it is wear and tear. This is exactly why a documented make-safe and an honest condition assessment help — they establish what the storm did versus pre-existing condition.
Buildings insurance typically covers sudden storm damage but excludes deterioration from a roof already in disrepair; distinguishing storm damage from pre-existing wear and tear with dated evidence is central to a successful claim. — Source: ABI (Association of British Insurers) storm claim guidance
The Claim Process, Step by Step
Once the roof is made safe, the claim runs roughly like this. You notify your insurer as soon as possible and give them your photographs and our written record. The insurer may send a loss adjuster to inspect, or accept a roofer's report for smaller claims. You get a quote for the permanent repair — we provide a clear, itemised written quote suitable for submission. The insurer authorises the work (sometimes cash-settling, sometimes paying the contractor directly), and the permanent repair is carried out. Keep every document and invoice throughout.
Choosing a Roofer for Storm Work
Storms bring out doorstep traders who tour damaged streets offering "cash jobs." Be wary. A reputable Oxford roofer will give you a written quote, carry insurance, never demand a large cash deposit up front, and be happy to liaise with your insurer. The pressure of a leaking roof makes people vulnerable to a hard sell — take the moment to check the roofer is real, local and insured before committing. We are NFRC-conscious, fully insured, and used to working alongside insurers on Oxford storm claims.
After the Repair: Prevent the Next One
Once your roof is repaired, a few checks reduce the chance of a repeat. Ridge and verge fixings are where wind gets its grip, so making sure these are sound is worthwhile on exposed Oxford roofs. Clearing gutters before winter stops the overflow damage that compounds a storm. And an occasional inspection catches the slipped tile or lifted flashing that would otherwise become the entry point for the next gale. Prevention is far cheaper than another emergency call-out.
Related: What to do when your roof is leaking · Emergency Roofer Oxford · Roof Inspections Oxford
Last reviewed: 12 August 2026 by Oxford Roofing Experts.