Insurer refuses to pay for damaged chimney because Storm Darragh wasn’t a proper storm

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Insurer refuses to pay for damaged chimney because Storm Darragh wasn’t a proper storm

A pensioner was refused a payout for Storm Darragh’s damage to his home after his insurers said the winds were “2mph too slow”.

Dennis Iliffe, 77, was left stunned when his insurance company told him they could not settle his claim because wind speeds in his home town did not hit 55mph.

He has now been left counting the cost after his chimney and aerial were damaged by the powerful gusts which battered Kidderminster over the weekend.

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Iliffe said he was “absolutely astounded” to be told by insurers Ageas the 53mph winds that wrecked his home were 2mph too slow to be classed a storm.

The Association of British Insurers says a storm is “a ******* of violent weather defined as wind speeds with gusts of at least 48 knots (55mph)”.

Dennis Iliffe’s aerial being fixed following Storn Darragh. (SWNS)

He said: “What on earth are you covered for then? You pay insurance, you think you’re covered. I’m not trying to make money out of them, I just want the cover which I think we’re entitled to.”

Iliffe and his wife Kathryn, 75, were initially left £500 out of pocket when they counted the cost of the repairs.

Neighbours also suffered damage to their properties – with other aerials destroyed, brickwork damaged, roof tiles blown off, and greenhouse windows smashed.

The Met Office issued yellow and amber wind warnings across much of the *** during Storm Darragh. (Met Office)

Ageas has now settled the claim following Iliffe’s story being reported in the media.

Great grandfather-of-five Iliffe added: “They just didn’t want to know. They said the gust was only 53mph and it has to be 55mph to be declared a storm.

“They wanted to know if there was a tornado, they wanted to know if it was a storm but it didn’t reach the criteria of 55mph to be a storm for them.

“Well I tell you, it definitely felt like a storm and it was called Storm Darragh.

Dennis Iliffe said he has been insuring properties for almost 60 years. (SWNS)

“The bloke next door had his gates taken off in the wind and fence panels off. Four out of eight houses had some damage.

Iliffe said he had only claimed three times in 57 years of insuring properties.

The retired local paper compositor said he pays £130 a year for his insurance and had been with Ageas for around four or five years.

He added: “I felt that angry about it I haven’t renewed it. It expired Sunday morning. I shall go with the cheapest, it certainly won’t be Ageas again.”

The damage has now been repaired. (SWNS)

After the BBC initially reported Iliffe’s story, Ageas confirmed it would settle his claim.

Claims Director Stephen Linklater said: “While Mr Iliffe’s claim did not meet the standard definition of a storm, we review each case individually and asked for additional information for the work to consider Mr Iliffe’s case.

“Now that we have supporting information, we have agreed to settle Mr Iliffe’s claim.”

How to prepare your home for extreme weather

For freezing temperatures ensuring your water pipes sound and insulating them in the places where it could get coldest will keep them from bursting.

In high winds ensure everything is shut and locked, and remove any debris from around the property that could blow away. Things that are too large to be moved inside should be secured to the ground. Also, try and keep your car in a safe place where there will be less of a chance of it being hit by debris.

The most serious is if your house is at risk of flooding. Make sure you have a plan for in case the worst does happen and your home becomes unsafe due to rising waters.

To prevent that from happening move all electrics upstairs, restrain outdoor furniture to stop it from being carried away, clear gutters and drains so rainfall can properly flow off your property and consider using bricks or sandbags to block doorways.

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