Documenting storm damage for an insurance claim

Most home insurance policies in Australia cover sudden, accidental damage from a defined event like a storm — but they generally don't cover damage that's the result of gradual wear, age or lack of maintenance. That distinction is the whole game when it comes to roof claims, and it's why documentation matters so much.

Storm damage vs wear and tear

Insurers look closely at whether a leak was caused by the storm or simply revealed by it. A tile cracked by a flying branch is storm damage. A ridge that's been crumbling for ten years and finally let water through isn't — even if the rain that came through arrived during a storm. You can't change which category your damage falls into, but you can make sure a genuine storm claim is clearly evidenced as one.

The clearer the link between the weather event and the damage, the harder a genuine claim is to dispute.

What to photograph

• The interior damage — ceiling stains, dripping, wet carpet or insulation, damaged contents — with wide shots and close-ups.
• The source on the roof, if it can be seen safely from the ground or a window — missing or cracked tiles, a lifted sheet, a fallen branch.
• Anything the storm moved — debris, branches, displaced materials around the property.
• Date and time. Keep the timestamps on your photos intact; they help tie the damage to the event.

Take more than you think you need, from more angles than feel necessary. You can always discard photos later — you can't go back and take them once repairs are done.

Evidence the weather event itself

It helps to record that a genuine storm occurred when you say it did. Note the date and rough time, and keep any local references — severe weather warnings, news reports, or Bureau of Meteorology information for your area. If neighbours had damage too, that supports the picture of a real event.

Act quickly — but mitigate, don't hide

Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage — temporary weatherproofing, moving contents, mopping up. Doing so won't hurt your claim; not doing so can. Just photograph the damage before any temporary fix, and keep receipts for any emergency work or replaced items.

Get a professional assessment in writing

A written assessment from a roofer describing the damage and its likely cause is valuable support for a claim. It puts an independent, informed account on the record while the evidence is fresh. We can inspect storm damage, carry out temporary weatherproofing to stop further water entering, and provide clear documentation of what we find for your claim.

This is general information, not insurance advice — every policy is different, so always read yours and talk to your insurer about what it covers. If you're dealing with an active leak right now, our guide to storm leaks and what to do first walks through the immediate steps.