A polar vortex is set to hit the UK this mid-March, according to new forecasting data. The Met Office has warned that the UK is “highly likely to see a polar vortex collapse in March,” as reported by The Independent.
A polar vortex is “a circulation of winds high up in the stratosphere,” the Met Office explained. Its collapse has “also been linked to many spells of cold winter weather in recent years.”
The collapse of the polar vortex was responsible for the 2018 ‘Beast from the East,’ which brought “heavy snow, ice, and strong winds, leading to 17 deaths across the UK,” according to The Independent. Such dangerous weather is not typically anticipated at this time of year.
The Met Office stated that “polar vortex disruptions, particularly events known as sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs), are relatively rare in the UK during spring.”
Speaking about the relationship between weather and damage claims, Richard Wakeham, director of RW Loss Adjusters, said: “If it is snow, that might cause a little bit of a problem. Generally speaking, hard frost or strong winds are at the tail end of winter, and those are the types of things that might give rise to claims. But overall, as you get into April, things tend to quiet down a little bit.”
If brokers are aware of the upcoming storm, they can proactively prepare for client conversations. Brokers and insurers will likely be the first point of contact for policyholders to report damages, according to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA).
Under adverse weather conditions, BIBA advised that “general maintenance of properties should be kept up to date to ensure claims are minimised.”
In light of the upcoming snowstorm, Wakeham recommended that policyholders adopt a proactive approach to property maintenance. He said: “If you have trees around your property, make sure they are regularly maintained. If a tree is diseased, it should be cut down before it can be blown over. It’s just about being a responsible property owner and ensuring your property is well-maintained in case of an incident.”
Recommending protection of the property as a whole is also crucial. According to BIBA: “It is vital to ensure your household buildings and contents insurance policies are up to date to ensure coverage.”
Homeowners need to be especially cautious when it comes to water in their homes. The ABI (Association of British Insurers) warns that cold weather can cause "escape of water" when “water in the pipes freezes and expands, breaking the pipe.” According to the ABI, “Escape of water damage is one of the most common types of domestic property damage claims.”
Wakeham also urged homeowners to take preventative measures: “If you think you're going to be away for an extended period, you need to make sure your heating is drained, or, if you're leaving the heating on, make sure the system is maintained properly. If there’s water in the system and it isn’t heated correctly, that’s when serious issues can arise.”
If the conditions are right, encouraging homeowners to make an escape of water claim could benefit both the policyholder and the broker. Wakeham explained: “If you have an escape of water claim, insurers, under certain conditions, will pay a certain amount to install a leak detector system in your house. This reduces the risk going forward and provides peace of mind for the policyholder. It also minimises the severity of any future leaks because the system will catch the problem before it worsens.”
This proactive approach aligns with what BIBA terms as the insurance broker’s “duty”. According to its 2025 Manifesto: “Insurance brokers have a duty to act in their customer’s best interests by ensuring that products recommended fit customer needs.”
As the storm approaches, it’s crucial for brokers to reach out to clients ahead of time, ensuring their homes are properly insured and to provide preventative advice. By acting in the best interest of the client, brokers not only ensure their clients’ protection but also reinforce their role as trusted advisors during uncertain weather events.
