Temperatures are set to drop this week, with warnings of snow and ice across parts of the UK. If you suffer from frostbite, what costs will your insurer cover?

Freezing weather can cause pipes in homes to burst, cars to break down, accidents on the roads and even planes to the ground. But other extreme weather events, such as storms and even heat waves, can also cause widespread damage and disruption.

Here, Which? it explains what weather-related damage your insurance might cover.

Does the insurance cover extreme weather?

According to the Met Office, storms, heavy rain and heat waves are becoming more frequent as a result of climate change.

An increase in extreme weather events means a more frequent risk of property damage and travel disruption.

The latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows that claims for damage to homes from storms, heavy rain and frozen pipes reached £136m in July to September 2024, up 6% on of year.

Home insurance

Your home insurance policy should cover you for sudden, unforeseen events like bad weather and storms.

Buildings insurance should cover damage caused by hail, wind, rain, snow or ice. These include broken roofs, frozen pipes, downed trees and power outages.

As always, there are some caveats. You may not be covered under a standard home insurance policy if the damage is the result of general wear and tear – for example, if water enters the home through a poorly maintained roof. For this type of claim, you will need accidental damage cover. Although this is included in some policies, it is more often sold as an optional extra.

Storms can also lead to flooding, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to homes. Fortunately, flood cover is also a standard part of building insurance and is widely available for most properties – even in areas considered to be at high risk of flooding. A typical policy should cover damage caused by flooding entering your home from an outside source, such as heavy rain, storms and high tides, or a river bursting its banks.

Insurers will generally pay for cleaning and repairing your property, as well as temporary accommodation if your home has been made uninhabitable. If you also have contents insurance, your belongings will be covered.

But again, watch out for exclusions. Many insurers will not cover damage caused by groundwater flooding. Some policies also exclude damage to certain parts of your property, such as its outbuildings or fences.

• Learn more: does home insurance cover flood?

Car insurance

Snow, ice, storms and heavy rain can cause serious damage to your car, including engine failure, bad brakes, broken lights and rust.

Make sure you check the policy documents carefully before making a claim. Most comprehensive car insurance policies should cover the cost of repairing or replacing vehicles damaged by bad weather, but drivers with a basic third party or third party, fire and theft policy are unlikely to be offered any protection.

Coverage usually includes damage to the vehicle’s upholstery and entertainment system, but the insurer may not pay for personal belongings left in the vehicle. Don’t panic if this is the case – you may be protected by ‘contents outside the home’ cover as part of your contents insurance policy. Damaged mobile phones, laptops and tablets could also be covered under gadget insurance.

Even if your policy covers weather damage, insurers may not pay out if they think you didn’t take steps to keep your car safe – for example, you drove recklessly in a snowstorm or deliberately drove through water of flood.

Also, be aware of any weather warnings in place. Driving during a red weather alert doesn’t mean you can’t make a claim, but it can void your policy if the insurer decides you didn’t follow travel advice, such as obeying a lower speed limit.

• Learn more: the best car insurance companies

Travel insurance

Snow and ice across Scotland, England and Wales on November 19 caused widespread disruption to transport, with blocked roads, canceled trains and delayed flights.

You may already be covered under your existing travel insurance policy, if you have one. Read the policy terms carefully to check whether trip interruption cover is included – some providers include it automatically, others ask you to pay extra for it.

Travel to the UK of more than a few nights and more than 25 miles is covered by most travel insurance policies, but the interruption must have been caused by an event outside your control that you were unaware of when you booked holidays.

Your insurer may offer alternative means of transport or accommodation. If you need to make your own emergency travel or hotel arrangements, keep all receipts. You may not be able to claim back costs without proof.

• Learn more: travel insurance explained

What should you do if you are affected?

Contact your supplier as soon as possible. Your insurer can make any necessary emergency payments, arrange any temporary emergency accommodation and organize any necessary repairs. Most insurers have 24-hour emergency helplines.

If you need to arrange emergency repairs yourself, tell the insurer and keep all receipts as they will form part of your claim. Do not throw away damaged items, unless they are a health hazard, as they can be repaired or restored.

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