3 November 2026
As Jon Snow Says: Winter Is Coming. The days have shortened, the temperature has dropped, and worst of all, golfing after work is no longer a possibility. After the summer the UK has had, the colder weather and rainfall may even be somewhat welcomed.
However you view it, one thing is certain: we're experiencing more intense weather events that are becoming increasingly difficult to predict. As we move into the winter months, insurers are preparing for an increase in claims relating to storms, escape of water, flooding, and other weather-related incidents.
While this may not come as a surprise, Aviva's home insurance data from 2022-2025 confirmed that 84% of storm claims occur between October and March, with February alone accounting for 26% of these1.
The ABI also reported that UK insurers paid out £244 million for storm damage to homes in 2025, an increase of 32% compared to 20242.
While it is impossible to avoid severe weather events entirely, these figures highlight the importance of preventative maintenance.
In many cases, simple measures can help reduce the risk of damage, including:
Securing loose roof tiles
Clearing gutters and drains
Carrying out routine property maintenance
High-value home insurance is generally designed to cover sudden and unforeseen damage, rather than issues arising from routine maintenance or wear and tear. If a storm exposes a pre-existing maintenance issue, this may affect how an insurer assesses a claim.
Escape of water claims also continue to be a significant cost for insurers. The ABI reported that approximately £250 million was paid out across 8,000 weather-related burst pipe claims in 2024, equating to an average claim cost of almost £33,0002. While winter naturally increases the risk of frozen and burst pipes, simple precautions such as insulating exposed pipework, maintaining adequate heating, and regularly checking for leaks can help prevent costly damage.
If you would like advice on protecting your property and valuable possessions this winter, or you have a renewal approaching and would welcome a second opinion, please get in touch. We can help assess whether your existing cover continues to meet your needs while also providing recommendations to better protect your property and reduce the risk of damage from our increasingly unpredictable weather.
Sources:
1. Aviva warns homeowners to batten down the hatches
2. The ABI issues advice for homeowners and drivers ahead of upcoming cold weather
This article is provided for general information purposes only and reflects information available at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Insurance cover is subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions, which vary between insurers.