Storm Damage to Your Roof? What to Do Next in the Channel Islands
Storm damage to your roof? What to do next in the Channel Islands
After a big blow comes through Jersey or Guernsey, the safe, sensible order of events matters — for your roof and for your insurance claim. Here's the checklist, and where a drone survey fits in.
The Channel Islands take the full force of Atlantic weather. When a storm rolls through — the kind that strips slates, lifts ridge tiles and rips lead flashing — what you do in the next few days affects both your roof and any insurance claim you make.
Here's the calm, in-order version of what to do, and how an independent drone roof survey gives you the evidence you need without anyone setting foot on a damaged roof.
01First: make it safe, don't make it worse
- Keep everyone away from any area below loose or hanging material — tiles and slates can fall without warning
- If debris is in the road or a neighbour's property, cordon it off if you safely can
- Switch off electrics to any room taking on water
- Catch internal water with buckets and move valuables clear
- Do not climb up to inspect or "tarp" the roof yourself. A wet, storm-loosened roof is the single most dangerous time to be up there
02Document the damage — before anyone touches it
This is the step people skip, and it's the one that protects your claim. Your insurer will want to see the extent and cause of the damage, ideally before any temporary or permanent repairs change the scene. Dated, high-resolution evidence of the roof as the storm left it is gold.
That's exactly what a drone captures. We fly the whole roof and record every affected area — lifted tiles, slipped slates, damaged flashing, debris strikes — in close-up, with the date attached, from a safe distance.
03Why the insurance angle matters
Insurers increasingly expect independent, current evidence before they approve a roof claim. A roofer's quote isn't the same thing — it's an estimate from someone who stands to do the work. An independent roof survey gives the insurer or loss adjuster what they actually want: dated imagery and a clear, neutral assessment of what's damaged and why.
We work with this exact scenario regularly — including for insurers and loss adjusters such as Crawford & Co. The report is built to be handed straight to a claims team.
Get insurer-ready evidence, fast
Dated 4K imagery and a clear written assessment of the storm damage — the independent evidence your insurer asks for.
Book a storm-damage survey04How the drone survey works after a storm
- We get to you quickly. Tell us it's storm damage when you book and we'll prioritise it.
- We fly the whole roof. Around an hour on site, no scaffolding, no one up a ladder on a compromised roof.
- We capture everything. Every damaged element recorded in dated, high-resolution detail.
- You get an insurer-ready report. Delivered in 2–3 days (weather permitting), ready to support your claim.
05Jersey and Guernsey roofs take more punishment
Coastal exposure, salt-laden wind, steep slate and granite detailing — the islands' housing stock is built for the weather, but storms still find the weak points: aged flashing, tired mortar, and ridge and verge details that loosen over time. After a major blow it's worth knowing the full picture, not just the obvious missing tile you can see from the garden.
Whether you're in Jersey, Guernsey or across the wider Bailiwick, we'll get your roof documented properly — safely, quickly, and ready for your insurer.
Frequently asked
Should I get the roof tarped before you survey it?
If it's safe and a professional can do it, emergency weatherproofing to stop further water ingress is fine — but try to get dated photos (or our drone survey) of the damage first, so your insurer can see the original extent and cause. Never climb up to tarp a storm-damaged roof yourself.
How soon after a storm can you fly?
As soon as conditions allow safe flight — we won't fly in dangerous wind, but we move quickly once it's safe. Tell us it's storm damage when you book and we'll prioritise getting to you.
Will the report support an insurance claim?
Yes. It's dated, independent and insurer-ready, with high-resolution imagery and a clear assessment of the damage. We regularly produce reports used in claims, including for loss adjusters. See insurance roof surveys.
What does it cost?
A visual drone survey starts from £249; adding the full written report is from £375. Larger or commercial properties are quoted after a quick scope — see our pricing.
Had storm damage? Get it documented properly
We'll fly your roof, capture the damage in dated 4K detail, and give you an insurer-ready report — without anyone risking a climb onto a storm-damaged roof.
Book a storm-damage survey
Capture (C.I) Limited · CAA-licensed drone roof surveys across Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark & Herm · 07797 762644
