Does your car insurance cover falling trees and storm damage inflicted by Storm Eleanor? Here’s how you could be left out of pocket
Storm Eleanor is wreaking havoc around the country. So are you prepared if the storm causes damage to your beloved motor?
WITH Storm Eleanor tearing across the country, millions of Brits' cars are at risk of damage - and many may not be covered by their insurance.
Many policies won't cover falling trees, debris and storm damage that have been left in the wake of the raging weather - leaving you to pick up the bill.
So is your car covered if you run into trouble during the storm?
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), only motorists with fully comprehensive policies will be able to claim the cost of storm damage.
This means millions of motorists with Third Party, Fire and Theft insurance won't be covered if their car suffers Eleanor's wrath and will have to pay for repairs out of their own pocket.
This cover only includes damage to other vehicles or the result of a fire or theft, weather damage to your car will not be included in the policy.
What to do if your car has been damaged during Storm Eleanor
- Contact your insurer as soon as your notice the damage - try their 24-hour emergency helpline if it is outside business hours
- Take photos of the damage - don't move debris until you have photographic evidence
- Arrange temporary repairs as soon as possible - discuss with your insurer first so that they are aware and will be able to reimburse you later
- Don't drive your vehicle if the damage has made it unsafe
For those who do hold a comprehensive policy, you should be covered for the full cost of damage to your car - minus your previously agreed excess fee.
Unfortunately, because insurers classify this kind of claim in the "at-fault" category, claiming for storm damage may see your premiums increase or invalidate your no claims bonus.
This also means that lower levels of cover won't be useful for storm claims.
Malcolm Tarling, from the ABI, said: "Motorists with comprehensive motor insurance policies will be able to claim for any damage caused by bad weather, such as Storm Eleanor.
"Third party fire and theft does not cover damage to the vehicle, unless damaged by fire.
"Our advice is simple – anyone with comprehensive motor insurance whose vehicle is damaged by bad weather, such as fallen trees, should contact their motor insurer as soon as possible."