The violent storm Ciaran, which continues its path towards Upper France after passing through Brittany and Normandy, has caused extensive damage in western and northern France.
• Are damages covered?
Let those concerned rest assured: the presence of a “storm guarantee” is mandatory in all home insurance contracts. The latter covers damage caused by violent winds, once observed. Therefore, for its application an inter-ministerial decree that recognizes the state of natural disaster is not necessary.
Activation of the “storm guarantee” varies depending on the contract. Most of the time, it is caused by winds that reach or exceed 100 km/h.
But be careful: the rules are not the same in the event of flooding (overflowing a river or blocking sewers, for example), even if the cause is the storm. In this case, for the damages to be covered, the state of natural disaster must have been recognized in your municipality and your insurance must provide a specific guarantee.
• What damages are compensated?
The “storm guarantee” covers damage caused directly by strong winds, such as broken roof tiles, a façade damaged by a falling tree or even water infiltration on the roof. In most insurance contracts, this covers damage that occurred at the time of the storm and during the following 48 hours (a façade damaged several weeks later by a falling tree, even if weakened by the storm, is not covered. for this warranty).
This “storm warranty” automatically covers the main building of the house (basement included). In the case of secondary buildings and light constructions (veranda, shed, garden shed, solar panels, swimming pool, fence, etc.), they are usually only covered if they are explicitly mentioned in the contract. In most cases, this is also the case with shutters, antennas or tree plantings. For windows the “break glass” guarantee comes into play.
On the side of the car, for example in the case of a windshield broken by a tree branch, the damage is usually covered if comprehensive insurance has been taken out.
• When to report damages?
Damage should be reported to your insurer as soon as possible. The deadline for filing the declaration is usually five days after the damage is detected (and not five days after the storm has passed, an important nuance for the owner of a second home who is not immediately on site). But you should check with your insurer, because they generally increase the period to 30 days during a major event.
Please note: If the damage was caused by a flood, even if the cause was the storm, you will need to wait for the natural disaster order to be able to declare the disaster, within 30 days.
• And how to declare them?
After you have quickly contacted your insurer by phone or email, we strongly recommend that you send your statement by certified mail with return receipt requested. You must attach to your declaration an estimate of the losses and necessary repairs, and all possible evidence, in particular photographs or purchase invoices. The insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, provided, for example, by a nearby weather station.
Subsequently, the insurance company may also appoint an expert to evaluate the damages. Please be careful to keep any damaged products until the expert arrives, as well as all invoices if you carry out the repair work yourself. In order not to aggravate the damage and avoid a conflict with the insurer over the nature of the damage, it is necessary to protect what was damaged as quickly as possible, for example by covering the roof with a tarp.
• Owner or tenant, who declares?
If you rent an apartment, you should report any damage that occurs inside the accommodation to your insurer and immediately notify the owner so that they can also submit their own claim report. In the case of co-ownership, you must also declare the damage inside the home to your home insurance, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the group insurance (which sometimes covers private areas).
• When will compensation be paid?
Once again, the payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends on the clauses of your home insurance contract. Once the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days after receiving the insured’s agreement.
In the event of a flood (where a natural disaster order is necessary), it is paid within three months of submitting the estimated state of damage.
Source: BFM TV
