How to Handle Storm Damage Insurance Claims for Your Roof

Hail, wind-driven rain and severe thunderstorms can damage roofs across South-East Queensland, from Brisbane and Ipswich to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. If your roof is affected, acting promptly helps protect your home and gives your insurer clearer evidence to assess your claim. The key is to make the property safe, document the damage and confirm approval before arranging permanent repairs.

Make Your Home Safe First

Do not climb onto a storm-damaged roof. Wet surfaces, loose roofing materials, damaged solar panels and hidden structural problems create serious hazards. Keep people away from sagging ceilings and affected electrical fittings. If water enters near electrical equipment, seek advice from a licensed electrician and do not touch wet switches or appliances.

Call 000 for immediate danger. For storm and flood emergency assistance in Queensland, contact the SES on 132 500. SES assistance prioritises urgent needs and does not replace professional roof repairs.

Contact your insurer’s emergency assistance service as soon as practical. Ask whether it can arrange temporary roof protection or other make-safe work. If urgent action is necessary to prevent further damage, take reasonable steps without putting yourself at risk, keep receipts and notify your insurer promptly.

Document the Storm Damage

Good evidence helps establish what happened and separates storm damage from pre-existing deterioration. Take photographs and video from ground level or another safe position before cleanup or temporary repairs, where possible.

Record the storm’s date, approximate time and when you first notice damage.
Photograph visible roof damage, fallen branches, ceiling stains and affected belongings.
Keep previous roof inspection reports, maintenance invoices and any available pre-storm photographs.
Save receipts for emergency repairs and reasonable protective measures.
Keep a record of insurer communications, including your claim number and agreed next steps.

Do not discard damaged items before checking with your insurer, unless keeping them creates a safety or health risk. If disposal is necessary, photograph the items and record their details first.

Check Your Policy Before Committing to Repairs

Read your policy schedule and Product Disclosure Statement. Check storm cover, exclusions, excesses, emergency repair arrangements and any temporary accommodation benefit. Building insurance generally addresses the roof itself, while contents insurance may cover damaged possessions, subject to each policy’s terms.

Storm damage is not automatically covered in every circumstance. Insurers may examine whether deterioration, corrosion, defective installation or inadequate maintenance caused or contributed to the loss. Stormwater runoff, flood and rain entering through an existing defect can also be treated differently under policy wording.

If you own a unit or townhouse, contact your body corporate or strata manager. The roof may fall under the body corporate’s building insurance rather than your individual policy.

Lodge Your Claim and Obtain a Roof Assessment

Report the claim promptly, even if you do not yet know the full repair cost. Describe what you observe accurately and avoid guessing about causes. Ask your insurer what evidence it needs, whether it will appoint an assessor and whether you need approval before obtaining quotes.

Choose a Suitably Licensed Contractor

Use a roofing contractor with the appropriate Queensland Building and Construction Commission licence for the proposed work, where required. Check licence details through the QBCC register and confirm relevant insurance. Electrical work involving solar systems requires appropriately https://roofrestorationseq.com.au/roofing-ventilation-systems/ licensed electrical professionals.

Request a written report identifying the damage, likely cause, necessary repairs and any maintenance issues. An itemised quote should distinguish storm-related work from unrelated improvements or deterioration. This helps you compare the contractor’s findings with the insurer’s assessment.

Confirm the Repair Scope in Writing

Before authorising permanent work, confirm who appoints and pays the contractor, what the insurer approves and what excess applies. Ask how the proposed work addresses roof flashings, gutters, insulation and internal water damage where relevant. Repairs must meet applicable Queensland building requirements; discuss any required compliance upgrades and whether your policy covers their cost.

Be Cautious About Cash Settlements and Unsolicited Offers

A cash settlement can leave you responsible for organising repairs and managing cost overruns. Before accepting, obtain a realistic repair quote and ask how hidden damage, approvals and applicable compliance costs are treated. If the insurer offers you a choice of cash settlement, ask for the required Cash Settlement Fact Sheet explaining your options.

Be wary of door-to-door operators promising guaranteed claim approval or pressuring you to sign immediately. Read any authority to act, repair contract or claim-management agreement carefully, including fees and cancellation terms.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Delayed or Declined

Ask for written reasons, the policy clauses relied upon and copies of relevant assessment reports. If you disagree, provide supporting evidence and request review through the insurer’s internal dispute resolution process. Clearly explain the outcome you want.

If the dispute remains unresolved, you can complain to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which provides free external dispute resolution for eligible complaints. Time limits apply, so check AFCA’s current requirements promptly.

Protect Your Roof After the Claim

Keep repair invoices, warranties and completion photographs. Arrange appropriate maintenance, including gutter cleaning and checks of roof fixings, tiles, flashings and sealants. In South-East Queensland’s storm-prone climate, a documented maintenance history helps protect your home and provides useful evidence if another claim becomes necessary.

SEQ Roof Restoration Experts

Unit 6/25 Lerna St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102

(07) 3132 3236