Residents of Kidderminster are still dealing with the aftermath of Storm Darragh, but one man, Dennis Iliffe, has been left frustrated after his insurance claim was denied. Iliffe, whose home was damaged by strong winds, was told by his insurer, Ageas, that the weather event didn’t qualify as a storm.
Iliffe was “absolutely astounded” to learn that the wind speeds in his area were measured at 53mph—just 2mph below the 55mph threshold required to classify an event as a storm, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). As a result, he was refused a pay-out, despite having to cover the cost of repairs to his chimney and aerial, leaving him £500 out of pocket.
The ABI defines a storm as a period of violent weather with gusts of at least 48 knots (55mph). Iliffe expressed disbelief at the situation, questioning why such precise criteria were needed to claim insurance for storm damage. “You pay insurance, you think you’re covered,” Iliffe said. “But when you come to make a claim, they don’t want to pay.”
Other residents in the area also suffered damage, including destroyed aerials, broken brickwork, and roof tiles blown off. Some had their greenhouse windows shattered, and at least one neighbor experienced the same problem as Iliffe—being denied a claim due to the wind speeds being just under the threshold.
Iliffe has criticized what he sees as an unfair system and compared the situation to insurance clauses for “acts of God”—events outside human control that insurers often claim are not covered. He acknowledged that insurers may be cautious about claims for pre-existing damage but questioned the logic behind denying claims for actual storm-related damage.
The insurance provider, Ageas, has been approached for comment but has yet to respond.