The five most common storm claims

3 April, 2023 By: Vanessa Pogorelic

In August 2022, a series of significant cold fronts hit WA, causing extensive damage to homes and property.

Outside of claims for Cyclone Seroja, last year’s August storms actually resulted in the highest payout of claims by RAC since the destructive hail event of March 2010.

While the intensity of winter storms can be difficult to accurately predict, one thing that is predictable following a storm is the types of damage they typically cause.

We’ve looked at the five most common storm claims received by RAC’s insurance team and what you can do beforehand to minimise the damage.

RELATED:Preparing your home before a storm hits »

Fences snapped and blown over

By far the most common damage done during a storm is to fences. In 2022, 48 per cent of total storm insurance claims paid out by RAC were for fence replacements, up 7 per cent on 2021.

Some types of fences are more susceptible to storm damage than others. HardieFence, also known as Super Six, is particularly prone to damage from high winds and often snaps at the base. Older wooden fences that may be affected by wood rot or termites may also be damaged by high winds.

Chet Richardson, RAC’s Home Insurance Claims Manager, says fencing being used to retain a large quantity of soil is also a problem.

“We often see HardieFence or old asbestos fences being used as retaining walls. They’re not designed to retain soil, and this can cause them to gradually lean and then break.”

No fence is indestructible but there are some things you can do to minimise the damage. If you have a wooden fence, applying a protective stain can help to prevent wood rot and keep the timber in good condition. Remember to reapply the stain periodically when you can see it starting to break down. You should also regularly inspect the fence for termite damage.

No matter what type of fencing you have, make sure you prune back branches from trees and large shrubs that are overhanging or close to the fence. Also make sure there are no areas where water can pool along the fence line and undermine the foundations of the fence.

Damaged ceilings

Even if your roof stays intact during a storm, your ceiling may not fare so well. Water that penetrates the roof and pools on the ceiling will, at best, just cause minor damp patches and in the worst-case scenario could cause the ceiling to collapse. Good roof maintenance is the best way to prevent water from getting in in the first place.

During especially heavy rainfall and high wind, it may be inevitable that some water will find its way in somewhere – as many Perth homeowners found out during the August 2022 storms – but keeping your roof as watertight as possible will help minimise or prevent any damage. One of the simplest ways to prevent water from entering your roof is to keep your gutters and downpipes clear of leaves and other debris.

“Blocked gutters, valley trays and downpipes are some of the primary causes of water entering the home,” Chet Richardson says.

“So many water damage claims could be avoided if people just took the time to clear these.”

You should also periodically do a visual check of the condition of your roof. For any work that involves climbing on to your roof we would always recommend using appropriately skilled contractors. If you have a tiled roof, the ridge capping cement should be in good condition and free of cracks. The ridge capping itself should also be inspected for cracks along with your tiles – even a hairline crack can let water in. On metal roofs, have the rubber washers under the screws checked for signs that they may be perishing. Any flashing on your roof should also be inspected to make sure it is intact and in good condition.

Find out more about what causes roof leaks and how to prevent them.

Damage from flying debris

Free-standing trampolines have become a common site around WA’s suburbs and towns. They can also become a dangerous projectile during a storm if lifted by high winds. Damage from flying debris is a surprisingly common storm claim received by RAC's Insurance Claims and Chet Richardson says damage caused by large objects, such as trampolines, can be extensive.

“We’ve had claims for damage from trampolines that have ended up on neighbours’ roofs. We had one scenario where a trampoline ended up in the neighbour’s pool. There was also a basketball hoop that blew onto the neighbour’s car and did quite a bit of damage.”

Any unsecured items outside the home, including outdoor furniture, can cause damage if tossed around by high winds, in addition to the items themselves becoming damaged. They could also potentially cause injury to someone in their path.

Never underestimate how much force storm winds can generate. Before a storm hits, make sure you pack away as many unsecured items as possible and for those that you’re not able pack away, take all reasonable steps to secure or tie them down in some way.

Roof damage

Seeing roofs stripped of tiles and metal roof sheets torn off after a storm is a stark reminder of the destructive power that can be unleashed during a severe weather event. It is not uncommon for some homes to bear the brunt more than others nearby, according to Chet Richardson.

“We often see very localised damage caused by mini-tornadoes that can develop without warning during a storm.”

Even when the wind isn’t strong enough to tear off part of your roof, it could still be significantly damaged by a falling tree or tree branches. It’s not just the roof of your home that’s in the firing line; the roofs of patios and other structures that form part of outdoor entertaining areas are also commonly damaged by falling tree branches.

An object crashing against or through your roof can result in major structural damage but is relatively easy to prevent. Simply keep tree branches trimmed down and well away from your home or any other structure around your home and tie down any other objects that could be lifted by the wind. Where there are trees close to your home, hire a contractor to cut large, overhanging branches. To prevent future damage (and maintenance), avoid planting trees and large shrubs close to your home.

Stormwater damage in and around the home

During very heavy rainfall, in addition to water coming in through your roof, stormwater run-off outside your home can also sometimes find its way inside. This could be due to one or more soak wells around your home being inundated and unable to cope with the volume of water running into them. Water can also come in around windows that are not well sealed.

Poor drainage around the outside your home can also cause water to build up to a point where it eventually floods through the home. Overflowing gutters and downpipes can add to the problem. While flooding is not common in WA, stormwater run-off is still a significant issue during severe weather events. Heavy rain can also result in problems in low lying areas due to the water table rising.

“When we get very heavy, persistent rain and the water table rises, we can get problems that result from the hydrostatic pressure being exerted under the ground. It’s quite startling what the build-up of all that water can do.

“We’ve had a claim for a belowground, fibreglass swimming pool that was lifted quite a way out of the ground at a home in Whiteman Park due to hydrostatic pressure.

“Nature has a habit of taking us all by surprise sometimes but having a good understanding of the kinds of issues that can result from severe weather can help you prepare well in advance and can even help you to better plan any alterations or additions in and around your home.”

In case of an emergency

Critical assistance: State Emergency Services (SES) 132 500

Weather warnings: Bureau of Meteorology bom.gov.au or 1300 659 213

Road conditions: Main Roads 138 138

Damaged power lines: Western Power 13 13 51

Emergencies only: Police, Fire or Ambulance 000

Vehicle breakdown: RAC Roadside Assistance 13 11 11