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Stormy Times: Information for Vehicle Owners

Stormy Times: Information for Vehicle Owners

The past weeks have seen some of the most dramatic storms in living memory and considerable damage has been caused to homes, gardens and vehicles.

Some experts say that extreme weather conditions are things we should come to expect and deal with in the climate crisis. With this in mind, it can be helpful to reflect on what we have learnt from past storms and what we can do to protect our property and ensure the safety of ourselves and others in the future.

Check your insurance

Whether you suffered damage to a vehicle during the last storm or you managed to escape unscathed, it is a good idea to assume that there will be more storms in the next year or so and check your insurance policy accordingly.

When will insurance NOT cover storm damage?

Most fully comprehensive insurance policies cover any damage to your vehicle, regardless of fault, however if you currently have third party insurance, it is unlikely that you are covered for storm damage. Your policy will not be valid if you drive recklessly or do something outside of the law. This means that, if high winds and floods are predicted and weather warnings advise against travel, your insurer could refuse to cover you for damage caused when you act against the recommendations. Likewise, if you see flood warnings and decide to risk it, resulting in damage to your car, the insurers could well refuse to pay up.

Know when to stay at home

Serious weather conditions are no laughing matter, and it is important that you take your safety, and that of other road users seriously. If there are weather warnings in place or if you are at all nervous about driving, don’t risk it unless you absolutely have to.

How to avoid storms damaging your car

Aside from not going out when weather conditions can pose a danger, there are a few things that you can do to prevent your car from being damaged by storms. If you are lucky enough to have a sheltered area where you can park your vehicle, use it! If you are not, try to avoid parking under trees or near anything that could produce flying debris. Finally, don’t park near a river or any area that is prone to flooding.

If your vehicle does suffer small scuffs or chips from storm damage, your excess and potential loss of no claims bonus may mean that it is not financially viable to claim on insurance. Get in touch with your local bodywork specialist for a quote before deciding to go through your insurer. The risk of bad weather isn’t over when the sun shines; be aware of debris on the roads or new potholes and flooding that could damage your vehicle after the fact.

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