As the UK enters a new storm season, research from Aviva reveals that over 22% of UK homes have suffered storm damage, while 12% have experienced flooding in the last five years. Additionally, 40% of homes have been affected by some form of extreme weather during this period.
According to Aviva’s claims data, nearly 19% of all home claims in the UK from 2020 to 2024 were related to storm damage. Storm claims typically peak between October and March, with December accounting for 30% of storm-related claims in 2023.
In February 2022, 71% of home claims were attributed to storms, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of winter storms in the UK.
Last winter, the UK saw 12 named storms, the highest number since the Met Office introduced the naming system in 2015. Despite this increase, Aviva’s survey of 2,000 UK residents found that concerns about the impact of climate change on homes have decreased compared to 2023.
In the latest survey, 34% of respondents believe that climate change will affect their home in the next year, down from 38% in 2023. Those living in high flood-risk areas were even less likely to think their homes would be impacted by climate change, with only 28% expressing concern.
Despite the recent prevalence of storms, heat remains the primary concern for 28% of respondents. Nearly 24% believe storms will affect their home, while 17% are concerned about floods.
Longer-term concerns about climate change have also fallen, with 45% of respondents expecting an impact in the next five years (down from 50% in 2023) and 54% over the next 10 years (down from 58% in 2023).
Laura Lazarus, head of personal lines home claims at Aviva, highlighted the significant damage that extreme weather has caused to UK homes over the past five years.
“Last winter alone, we faced 12 named storms, and this year, the storm season has started even earlier than usual, with rainy British weather in full force and more storms inevitable,” Lazarus said.
Lazarus urged homeowners to be prepared for the upcoming storm season by taking preventative measures such as inspecting roofs, securing outdoor items, and preparing emergency kits. She also stressed the importance of staying informed via reliable weather forecasts.
Lazarus emphasised that having the right home insurance is critical to providing financial protection and helping individuals recover from severe weather events.
“As storms can highlight defects or damage due to lack of maintenance, customers should always check their documents to understand what is and isn’t covered,” she said.
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