Roof hit by a storm in the Illawarra? What to do first, how make-safe repairs work, and how to navigate your NSW insurance claim. 24/7 help from Palmers Roofing.
When an east-coast low or a summer hailstorm rolls through the Illawarra, roofs cop it first. If yours has been hit, the next 48 hours matter, both for protecting your home and for your insurance claim. Here's a clear, honest walkthrough of what to do, how "make-safe" repairs work, and how to get your NSW claim across the line.
Most policies want the claim lodged within about seven days of the event. Have ready the date and time, a Bureau of Meteorology report for the storm, your photos, your make-safe receipts and a description of the damage. The stronger your evidence, the smoother the claim.
Your insurer sends a loss assessor, usually within 5 to 14 days, to inspect and write a scope of works. Be there for it. Ask them to check the roof cavity, the underside of tiles and the battens, not just the surface, because under-scoped assessments are the most common reason a claim falls short. If you disagree with their assessment, you're generally entitled to request an independent assessor at the insurer's cost.
You'll usually be offered either a cash settlement (you choose your own licensed roofer) or a roofer from the insurer's panel. You are allowed to use your own licensed roofer. On larger claims especially, a cash settlement with an independent local roofer often gives you a better result and someone accountable to you, not the insurer.
| Generally covered | Generally excluded |
|---|---|
| Storm, hail and wind damage to tiles and sheets | Gradual leaks unrelated to a storm |
| Fallen tree or branch damage | Pre-existing wear and tear |
| Wind-lifted or displaced roofing | Damage from lack of maintenance |
This is why keeping your roof maintained matters, not just for the roof, but so a future storm claim isn't knocked back as "wear and tear."
One warning worth repeating: after big storms, door-knockers appear offering "free inspections." Be very careful. Never trust anyone who offers to waive or pay your excess, that's insurance fraud, and avoid unlicensed operators and high-pressure tactics. Always check the roofer holds a NSW licence (ours is 168816C).
Most home policies cover sudden storm, hail and wind damage. What's typically not covered is gradual leaking, pre-existing wear and tear, or damage caused by a lack of maintenance, which is why documenting the storm and keeping your roof maintained both matter.
Yes. You can take a cash settlement and use your own licensed roofer rather than the insurer's panel. On larger claims this often gives a better outcome and a contractor who answers to you.
Stay safe, call your insurer's 24/7 line for a claim number, authorise emergency make-safe work to stop further water getting in, and photograph everything. Then lodge the full claim, usually within about seven days.
Generally yes. Insurers expect you to make the property safe and usually reimburse temporary make-safe repairs like tarping once approved, so call them first, then keep the receipts.
We offer emergency make-safe and tarping across the Illawarra and can work directly with your insurer. Call 0414 658 681, family-run, licensed (168816C), and straight with you from the first phone call.
General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Cover, timeframes and excesses vary by policy, so check your own PDS and speak with your insurer about your specific claim.