How quickly should I call about storm damage?

Call as soon as the property is safe to inspect. Briks dispatches make-safe inside 60 minutes during storm events. Documentation in the first 24 hours protects the insurance claim — every hour the scene is altered (by you or weather) reduces the evidence available.

Will insurance cover gutter cleaning if storm damage was caused by overflow?

Generally no. Most policies exclude damage caused by maintenance failures, including blocked gutters causing water to back up under the roofline. Annual gutter cleaning (twice yearly for properties under heavy tree cover) is the recommended preventative.

Do I need three quotes for an insurance claim?

Some insurers require three quotes for damage above a certain threshold; others accept one quote from an approved contractor. Briks supplies an itemised insurance-ready quote with photo evidence as standard — most insurers accept it without an additional assessor visit.

What is "make-safe" and is it covered?

Make-safe is the temporary work done to prevent secondary damage — tarps over a hole in the roof, plywood over a broken window, water diversion. It is covered by most home policies as a separate line from full repair, and insurers generally expect it to be actioned promptly.

Storm-damage repairs in Adelaide — what insurance covers

Adelaide storm season runs from May through September, with the heaviest weather typically in June-August. Most home insurance policies cover storm damage as a defined event — wind, rain, hail, and lightning. Pre-existing wear that storm conditions exposed (e.g. an aged ridge cap that finally cracks in 80 km/h winds) is often the dispute point.

What home insurance typically covers

Roof damage from wind, hail, or fallen trees
Water ingress from storm-driven rain through damaged roofing or windows
Fence damage from wind, fallen trees, or projectiles
Gutter and downpipe damage from hail or debris
Internal water damage from a compromised roof or window
Lightning strike damage to electrical systems and connected appliances
Make-safe costs (tarps, temporary patching, urgent water diversion)

What insurance often disputes

Damage attributed to "wear and tear" — aged tiles or rusted gutters that finally failed
Maintenance items overdue (uncleared gutters causing water ingress)
Mould remediation where the cause is not directly storm-related
Damage to garden, landscaping, and "outside the building" items (limits vary)
Damage where no make-safe was actioned in a reasonable window

The 24-hour documentation window

In the first 24 hours after a storm, document everything before make-safe work alters the scene. Photos from multiple angles, video walk-through of affected areas, and a written description of what failed and what damage resulted. Briks roof and emergency response includes this documentation as standard — the insurer-ready PDF is in your inbox before the make-safe is finished.

How Briks handles a storm-damage call

01Initial call triaged within 60 minutes — make-safe dispatched same day
02Photo and video documentation captured before any patch work
03Written cause-and-effect summary supplied to the customer's insurer within 24 hours
04Full repair scope and quote provided once insurance approves
05Repair work coordinated under one project — roof, plumbing, painting, electrical as needed
06Final photo report and Certificates of Compliance supplied at handover