After storm roof damage in Worthing, stay off the roof, manage any interior leak, and photograph everything before repairs begin. Call for same-day emergency make-safe work, then register your insurance claim. Emergency measures to prevent further damage should not wait for insurer approval. Call 01903 905 128 for 24/7 attendance.
A significant south-westerly gale in Worthing can move from windy to destructive within hours. If your roof has been damaged in a storm, the decisions you make in the first few hours affect both the physical damage to the property and the outcome of any insurance claim. This guide covers exactly what to do — and what not to do.
Immediately After the Storm — First Steps
Assess From Ground Level Only
Do not go onto the roof. The conditions that damaged the roof may still be partly present, and a roof that has lost tiles may have compromised structure that is not visible from outside. Walk around the property at ground level and observe what you can see from there. Look for: missing tile sections on any elevation, displaced ridge tiles, debris at the base of walls, gutters that have pulled away, and any chimney movement.
Manage Active Leaks Inside
If water is entering the property, manage it before it causes secondary damage. Place buckets or containers under any active drip. Move furniture, electronics and valuables out of the affected area. Take photographs of the interior water damage — your insurer will need evidence. Do not attempt to seal anything from inside — you cannot reliably waterproof from the interior and attempting to do so may prevent proper assessment of the leak route.
Make Public Areas Safe
If debris has fallen onto a public area — pavement, road, shared driveway — you have a duty to manage the hazard. Keep people clear until the debris can be removed or the risk made safe. If a chimney pot has fallen onto a public area, treat it seriously and call us immediately.
The Association of British Insurers confirms that emergency measures to prevent further storm damage are generally covered by buildings insurance and should not be delayed pending a claim decision.
Source: Association of British Insurers
Calling for Emergency Repairs
Call a roofer for emergency attendance. We carry out same-day make-safe work across all Worthing BN postcode areas — call 01903 905 128 at any time. The make-safe visit involves: securing or removing any loose structural elements, temporary waterproofing of any exposed roof structure, and an assessment of the full scope of damage for permanent repair quotation.
Managing the Insurance Claim
Photograph Everything
Before any repair work begins, photograph the damage comprehensively. Photograph the roof surface from every elevation you can see it from. Photograph any interior water damage. Photograph any fallen debris. These photographs are evidence for your insurer and should be taken before anything is moved, removed or temporarily repaired.
Registering the Claim
Contact your insurer to register the claim. Most insurers have a 24-hour emergency line for storm damage. When you call, have: your policy number, the date and approximate time of the storm, a description of the visible damage, and the photographs. Ask specifically whether emergency make-safe work is covered under your policy — most policies cover this, but you should confirm before committing to cost.
Loss Adjusters
For significant storm damage, your insurer may appoint a loss adjuster to assess the claim before approving permanent repair. The loss adjuster will inspect the property and produce a report. We can produce a written damage report from our perspective that you can provide to the adjuster — documenting the cause, extent and repair scope of the damage.
What Not to Do
- Don't go on the roof — wait for a professional with appropriate access equipment
- Don't authorise permanent repair before photographing everything — you need evidence for the claim
- Don't accept a quote from a cold-caller — storm chasers target Worthing after major gales
- Don't wait for the insurer before emergency make-safe — act immediately to prevent further damage, keep receipts
- Don't assume it will dry out on its own — it won't, and the longer you wait the greater the secondary damage
We respond to storm damage calls across Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Goring-by-Sea and all surrounding BN postcode areas. After a major south-westerly gale, we typically attend multiple Worthing properties on the same day — call early for the earliest attendance. 01903 905 128 — 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stay safe — do not go onto the roof. If there is active water ingress, place buckets and protect belongings. If debris has fallen into a public area, keep people clear. Call 01903 905 128 for same-day emergency attendance to make the roof safe.
Storm damage to roofs is typically covered under buildings insurance, subject to your policy excess. Register the claim before permanent repair begins. We provide written damage reports for insurance purposes.
Same-day for active damage across all BN postcode areas. Call 01903 905 128 at any time — we respond 24/7 to genuine emergencies.
No. Emergency make-safe work to prevent further damage — tarpaulin, temporary waterproofing, making unstable elements safe — should be carried out immediately without waiting for insurer approval. Most policies cover emergency measures. Get a receipt and photograph the damage before any work begins.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026 by Worthing Roofing Experts.
About the author
Worthing Roofing Experts — local roofing specialists serving Worthing and the West Sussex coast since 2003. NFRC registered, fully insured. Call 01903 905 128 for a free quote.