Storm damage insurance coverage for Holiday Lets
Last Updated on January 16, 2026 by admin
With climate change and global warming comes bad weather and an increasing number of storms and floods. Strong winds and heavy rain are now a regular feature of British winters. Flooding and storm damage present a significant risk to properties across the UK.
The Met Office predicts that there will be warmer and wetter winters in the UK. Localised flooding and coastal flooding will be even more prevalent potentially impacting on homes and second properties. Hotter summers, dry conditions, and increasingly intense and frequent weather extremes can also cause extensive damage to buildings.
Storm damage
The frequency and intensity of storms in the UK has increased over the last few years. Data from Aviva shows that 19% of their home insurance claims between 2020 and 2024 were linked to storm damage. Research also shows 22% of UK homes have been impacted by storms in the past five years, and 12% of homes have been flooded.1
If you fail to protect your home, you are uninsured, or underinsured, you could face serious consequences if your holiday let is damaged.
Storm damage insurance plays a vital role in protecting you from the financial impact of severe weather. High winds, heavy rain, hail, and falling debris can all cause sudden and expensive damage to roofs, windows, and the structure of a property.
A comprehensive Holiday Let Insurance policy can cover storm-related damage, helping to pay for repairs and prevent further issues such as water ingress or structural deterioration. Arranging your Holiday Let Insurance through Boshers means claims can be handled quickly and efficiently, providing reassurance and financial security when adverse weather occurs.
Request an insurance quote
Call: 01237 429444
Email: info@boshers.co.uk
Wind and hail damage insurance
Wind and hail are among the most common causes of weather-related damage to UK homes, particularly as storms become more frequent and severe. High winds can lift roof tiles, damage chimneys, dislodge flashing and guttering, and bring down trees or fences.
Hailstone damage, while often less visible at first, can be just as expensive. Hailstones can crack roof tiles, dent metal roofing, damage skylights, and break windows. Over time, small cracks caused by hail can worsen, allowing moisture to seep in and reducing the lifespan of roofing materials. Conservatories and garden structures are also particularly vulnerable during hailstorms, adding to the overall cost of repairs.
For holiday let owners, the financial impact of wind and hail damage can be significant. But if you check your roof, repair any damage, replace broken windows, and deal with internal water damage you could avoid damage that can run into thousands of pounds and delay or stop business operations (letting out your property to paying guests).
This is where having the right home insurance cover is essential. A comprehensive buildings insurance policy covers damage caused by storms, including wind and hail, helping you recover quickly without bearing the full financial burden yourself. Please note: Don’t forget to check your policy documents regarding the extent of your cover for wind and hail damage.
Impact of snow
Many parts of Scotland regularly experience heavy snow. If snowfall is heavy, it can impact the structure of your buildings. Snow can collect on roofs; and flat roofs might not drain away accumulated water from melted snowfall.
The heavy weight of snow can also impact on your flashing and guttering which is why regular maintenance of your roof and gutters is strongly recommended. This will allow water from the snow thaw to run off your buildings freely instead of seeping through the fabric of your property. Freezing temperatures can also cause burst pipes, potentially causing water damage in your home.
Burst pipes
When temperatures drop to freezing or below, burst pipes can be a major risk, especially in properties that are unoccupied for periods of time. Water inside pipes freezes and expands causing pipes to burst resulting in damage to rooms and buildings because of large volumes of water from the pipe(s).
This can impact on structural areas (walls and wood fixtures); damage contents (tech, furniture, and carpets), and lead to electrical hazards (short circuits, electrical shocks). Even slow or smaller leaks can cause serious hidden damage over time, creating damp issues, and mould growth.
In fact, between 2023 and 2025, a major insurer, Allianz paid out £20 million in property damage insurance claims for damage caused by burst pipes. The largest claim payout was £566,000 when the homeowner was abroad and burst pipes caused “extensive” damage to a four-bedroom house.2
If your holiday let is empty at the time, water damage can go undetected, causing significant destruction.
Buildings & Contents Insurance
Buildings Insurance provides financial protection for the physical structure of your property. This can include walls, roofs, and integral fixtures. A policy arranged by Boshers Insurance can cover you for damage caused by storms, floods, fire, and subsidence (crucial if your holiday let is built near a seaside cliff or any other area that is potentially prone to subsidence). Buildings Insurance covers your buildings rebuild or repairs in the event of damage or destruction.
We also provide Contents and Public Liability Insurance for self-catering holiday let owners, offering cover for a wide range of insured events. If your contents are damaged as a result of extreme weather, or a compensation claim or lawsuit is brought against you by an employee or member of the public, your insurance through us, can pay for replacement contents (Contents Insurance) and legal fees (Liabilities Insurance).
To find out how we can protect your Holiday Let or for a new Holiday Let Insurance quote, contact us today.
Request a quote
Call: 01237 429444
Email: info@boshers.co.uk
- https://www.insurancetoday.co.uk/
- https://www.postonline.co.uk/
Boshers® Insurance Services is a trading style of Lloyd & Whyte® Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 306077). Registered in England No. 03686765. Registered office: Affinity House, Bindon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AA. VAT Registration No. 477 7248 00. Calls may be recorded for use in quality management, training and customer support.
