Storm Austen warning: 37% unaware poor home maintenance could invalidate a claim
With the first named storm of the season set to hit the country this week, Irish households are being warned that poor maintenance could invalidate an insurance claim.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow warning for heavy rain across Ireland on Thursday evening as Storm Austen spreads across the country.
Ahead of the storm, home insurance experts at CompareNI.com quizzed households on weather-related damage caused to their properties.
In 2025, Storm Eowyn was one of the worst weather events to hit the country in living memory, with insurance providers paying out €129 million specifically for storm damage to Irish homes - an average claim of €5,745.
But out of those surveyed by CompareNI.com, 37% were unaware an insurer could refuse to pay out if the property is poorly maintained.
Insurers expect owners to keep homes in good repair with regular checks on their condition, particularly key elements such as the roof. It’s also important to keep drainage and gutters clear of debris and review the structural upkeep of brickwork, pointing and window seals.
If pre-existing conditions are worsened by a storm or insurers believe a lack of upkeep caused the problem, then they could refuse to pay out.
When asked what constitutes a storm, only 12% were aware winds needed to be over 55mph for it to be classed as a storm.
A storm is typically defined as gusts of at least 55mph, torrential rain of at least 25mm an hour, snow at least 30cm deep in 24 hours or hail intense enough to damage hard surfaces or break glass.
The majority, 62%, admitted to being unaware of how strong gusts needed to be, creating uncertainty around what is and isn’t covered under storm damage.
More worryingly, out of those questioned, 60% did not know what evidence needed to be collected after damage caused by a storm, to help them make a claim.
The key is to contact the insurer as soon as possible, keep hold of damaged items, dig out receipts and take photos as evidence.
Ian Wilson, home insurance expert at CompareNI.com said: “With Storm Austen on the way, now is the time for homeowners to take some simple steps to protect their properties and help reduce the risk of damage.
“Check the roof for any missing or cracked tiles, clear out gutters and drains of leaves, and makes sure any loose garden furniture is put away or properly secured.
“While insurance policies can cover accidental damage, providers will usually not pay out if the damage was down to poor maintenance on the policyholder’s part, leaving a hefty repair bill should the worst happen.
“It's concerning that so few people know what officially counts as a storm, or what evidence they'll need to gather if they need to make a claim. Knowing these five simple points after a storm could help make a real difference when it comes to navigating the claims process.”
CompareNI.com tips on what to do after storm damage:
Gather evidence
Only go back into the property when it is safe to do so and do not do anything that will put you, your family or your home at risk. Take photo and video content of the damage, gather your insurance details, receipts and invoices, and document everything clearly with dates.
Contact your insurer
Make contact as soon as you can. Your insurer will then advise you on next steps and start to arrange repairs.
Temporary repairs
Temporary repairs form part of your claim. If you need to make emergency repairs to stop damage getting worse, make sure to tell your insurer and keep receipts.
Damaged items
Keep hold of damaged items unless they are a danger to health. There may be a chance they can be fixed or restored. It can take weeks, sometimes months for a property to fully dry, so it’s important to be patient and hold off on redecorating.
Help with quotes
Consider getting quotes from local contractors to help estimate costs – this could potentially speed up the claims process.
CompareNI.com gives customers the tools to help them compare and find savings on home insurance.