Home insurance for storm, cyclone and flood damage to your roof in India

Home insurance in India generally covers sudden damage from named perils, and storm, cyclone, typhoon, tempest, hurricane, tornado, flood and inundation are among the standard perils in most home policies, including the standard Bharat Griha Raksha product that IRDAI asked insurers to offer from 1 April 2021 (check whether your insurer still sells it under that name). That means roof sheets blown off in a cyclone, a parapet collapsing in a storm, or walls damaged by floodwater can be claimable. What is generally not covered is gradual damage: slow seepage through an old terrace, wear and tear, poor maintenance, or a defect in the original construction. Report the damage promptly, photograph it before repairs, and check that your sum insured reflects the cost of rebuilding.

Part of roof, waterproofing or façade problems: which official route to use.

What a home policy usually covers and excludes

Standard products and individual insurers' policies differ in the list of perils, sub-limits, deductibles and add-ons. Some cover the building only, some contents only, and some both. Read the policy wording, not only the brochure.

Building sum insured: the number that matters most

For a roof claim, the building cover matters. Two common bases are:

• Reinstatement or rebuilding cost: what it would cost to rebuild the structure today, often worked out as built-up area × a construction rate per sq ft.
• Agreed value or declared value: a value stated in the policy.

Under-insurance can reduce a claim under some policies; Bharat Griha Raksha-type products were designed to avoid this by using the declared rebuilding cost without applying underinsurance, but check your own wording. As an illustrative check: a 1,200 sq ft house, with an illustrative rebuilding rate of ₹2,500 per sq ft, needs a building sum insured of about 1,200 × 2,500 = ₹30,00,000. Land value is not insured because land does not burn or blow away.

Comparing quotes on what you would actually pay

The cheapest premium is not always the cheapest outcome. Compare quotes by premium + deductible + any shortfall above the sum insured for a realistic scenario, such as a ₹3,50,000 roof repair after a cyclone. The home insurance quote comparison does this for up to three quotes.

GST on home insurance

Home insurance premiums carry 18% GST. The exemption that took effect on 22 September 2025 applied to individual life and individual health insurance policies, not to home or property insurance. Check the premium breakdown in the quote.

How to make a storm or flood claim

1. Make the house safe, and take reasonable temporary measures to prevent more damage (tarpaulin, moving belongings). Keep receipts; reasonable costs may be claimable.
2. Intimate the insurer quickly, by phone, app or email, with the policy number and a short description. Note the claim reference.
3. Photograph and video the damage inside and outside, before cleaning or repairs. Keep damaged materials if possible.
4. Wait for the surveyor if the insurer appoints one, unless urgent repairs are needed; tell the insurer if they are.
5. Collect documents: claim form, policy, photos, repair estimates or quotations, invoices for temporary work, and, for large events, any official report of the storm or flood if the insurer asks.
6. Get repair quotations that separate storm or flood damage from pre-existing wear. Mixing the two invites a dispute.
7. Check the settlement: deductible, depreciation on some items under some policies, and any sub-limits.

IRDAI's Protection of Policyholder's Interests, operations and allied matters of insurers Regulations, 2024 and the master circular issued under them set timelines for insurers to process claims and respond to complaints; your policy document and the insurer's website state the current figures. Ask the insurer for the status in writing if the claim seems stuck.

Illustrative claim

A cyclone tears off 300 sq ft of sheet roof and damages the frame. Repair quotation: ₹1,80,000 including GST. The policy has a ₹10,000 deductible and a building sum insured of ₹25 lakh. If the insurer accepts the full amount as storm damage: payout = 1,80,000 − 10,000 = ₹1,70,000. If the surveyor finds that 100 sq ft of the sheets were already rusted through and assesses the storm damage at ₹1,40,000, payout = 1,40,000 − 10,000 = ₹1,30,000. That is why photos of the roof before the storm, and records of maintenance, are valuable.

Flat owners

In an apartment, the building is often insured through the society or association, while an individual owner may insure the interior and contents. Check what your society's policy covers before buying building cover for your flat. See society and RWA rules for façade and terrace work.

FAQ

Is a leaking terrace covered by home insurance?

Generally not if the leak developed gradually. Sudden damage from a named peril, such as a storm that damaged the roof, is the usual trigger.

Does home insurance cover the waterproofing I just paid for?

It covers the building against insured perils. It does not replace a contractor's workmanship warranty.

Can I claim for damage to paint and plaster inside from a storm?

If the storm damaged the roof and water entered as a direct result, resulting damage may be covered as part of the claim. Check the wording.

What if my claim is rejected?

Use the insurer's grievance process first, then Bima Bharosa and the Insurance Ombudsman. See when a roof damage claim is rejected.

Sources and where to check

• IRDAI — standard products, policyholder protection rules and the list of registered general insurers
• Bima Bharosa — IRDAI's grievance portal
• Council for Insurance Ombudsmen — Ombudsman offices
• GST Council — the September 2025 insurance exemptions