Roof tiles displaced or broken after a storm: first aid, insurance and repair

Klusbedrijf MSZ 15 October 2026

Tiled roof with red roof tiles and a dormer

Have roof tiles been displaced by a storm? Then do not go up on the roof yourself while it is still windy. Look at the damage from the ground and in the attic, catch any leaking water, take photos and report the damage to your insurer. After that, have the roof repaired professionally as soon as possible, so that rain does not cause new damage.

In this article you can read step by step what to do straight after a storm, how to recognise storm damage to the roof, when insurance pays, roughly what repairs cost and how to stop your roof tiles shifting again in the next storm.

Roof tiles displaced by a storm: what should you do first?

First make sure you and others are safe, then limit the damage indoors. The roof itself only comes next once the wind has died down. Follow this order:

Stay off the roof and the ladder. The ANWB (the Dutch motoring and consumer association) advises not to climb a ladder or go onto the roof in strong wind. One gust of wind or a loose roof tile is enough for a serious fall.
Cordon off the area around the house. Are there roof tiles or pieces on the pavement, in the garden or on the drive? Keep children, pets and passers-by away and park the car somewhere else if that can be done safely.
Look in the attic. Take a torch and look for daylight between the tiles, wet patches on the roof boarding or drips along the tile battens.
Catch the leaking water. Put buckets or tubs under the drips, lay down towels and move things that could get wet. Is the water leaking near a light or socket? Then switch off that circuit in the meter cupboard.
Take photos and videos. Photograph the roof from the ground, the attic, the ceiling and damaged belongings. Do that before and after any emergency measure.
Report the damage to your insurer. Ask whether you may call in a professional yourself or whether the insurer will send a repairer or loss adjuster.
Have the roof repaired. A roofer or handyman business puts the tiles back, replaces broken tiles and checks the rest of the roof. On our page about roofing and roof repairs you can read what we can do for you.

These steps follow the ANWB’s step-by-step plan for storm damage, which also advises not to do more than necessary in an emergency repair.

May I go up on the roof myself to put roof tiles back?

Not during or just after a storm. Even in calm weather, working on a pitched roof is only sensible if you have experience, use a good ladder and secure yourself against falling. For most people it is safer to leave this to a professional.

What you can do yourself, without going up on the roof:

carefully move loose tiles lying on the ground to one side, so that nobody gets hurt on them;
stretch a sturdy sheet or plastic under the leak in the attic, so that the water runs into a bucket;
at a roof edge or dormer you can reach easily from a stable surface, fasten a sturdy tarpaulin (the ANWB mentions a tarpaulin as an emergency solution for a leaking roof);
record the damage and keep the receipts for anything you buy for an emergency solution.

DIY or professional?

A single tile that has shifted a few centimetres on a low, easily accessible roof looks like a small job. Yet from the ground you often cannot see what else has come loose. Have several tiles shifted, are ridge tiles loose, is there damage at the chimney or the roof window, or is it already leaking inside? Then choose a professional. They check the whole roof surface and also spot broken tile battens or damaged membrane under the tiles.

How do you recognise storm damage to the roof?

You can usually see storm damage from crooked rows of tiles, holes in the roof surface or tiles on the ground. Sometimes the damage is less visible and you only notice it at the next downpour. Go through this checklist as soon as the wind has died down:

From the street: check whether all rows of roof tiles are straight and whether there are gaps. Binoculars help.
The ridge: are the ridge tiles (the tiles along the top of the roof) still in place?
Edges and junctions: look at the edges of the roof, around the chimney, roof windows and the dormer. That is where the wind gets the most grip.
Gutter and downpipe: is the gutter hanging crooked or has it come loose? Are there pieces of tile or leaves in the gutter?
Attic: daylight, wet patches, moisture on insulation or drips along the beams.
Ceilings and walls: stains, rings or flaking paint, especially on the top floor.

Not sure whether a stain on the ceiling comes from the roof or from a pipe? In our article on recognising a roof leak you can read how to tell the difference and which signs you should not ignore.

Does insurance pay if roof tiles have been displaced by a storm?

Usually yes, if the damage really was caused by a storm. According to the Verbond van Verzekeraars (the Dutch Association of Insurers), most home insurance policies cover storm damage, often with an excess. Damage to the roof itself usually falls under buildings insurance, damage to your belongings under contents insurance.

When does an insurer call it a storm?

Many insurers use a minimum wind force. Univé, for example, speaks of storm damage at wind force 7 or higher, about 50 km/h, officially measured by the KNMI (the Dutch weather service). Rainwater that gets in because tiles have blown away is covered too. This differs per policy, so always check your own conditions.

When does insurance not pay?

Insurers usually do not cover damage you could have prevented. Univé, for example, lists damage due to poor roof maintenance and incorrectly laid roof tiles as exclusions. So if there had been broken tiles for months or the gutter was already hanging loose, the insurer may make difficulties. Here too: this differs per policy, so read your conditions or call your insurer.

Which photos and documents does the insurer need?

photos of the roof from several sides, including tiles on the ground;
photos of the attic and of water damage inside;
photos or video of the situation before and after an emergency repair;
receipts for materials for an emergency solution;
the quote and invoice from the professional who repairs the roof.

Is a loss adjuster coming round? Then do not throw anything away before they have seen the damage, unless it is dangerous.

What does it cost to have roof tiles repaired after a storm?

That mainly depends on how many tiles have shifted or broken and how easy the roof is to reach. If new tiles have to be laid, the Dutch review platform Werkspot gives a national price for laying new roof tiles of €40 to €70 per m², plus the tiles themselves: concrete roof tiles €25 to €40 and ceramic roof tiles €30 to €60 per m².

What affects the price:

the number of shifted or broken tiles and ridge tiles;
the height and pitch of the roof, and whether scaffolding or a cherry picker is needed;
whether matching tiles are available (that is sometimes difficult with older roofs);
damage under the tiles, such as broken tile battens or torn membrane;
consequential damage inside, such as a ceiling that has to be replastered or repainted.

Klusbedrijf MSZ does not work with fixed package prices but charges by the hour. The first hour on site costs €181.44 incl. VAT (€149.95 excl. VAT), and every hour after that €108.84 incl. VAT (€89.95 excl. VAT). If you send a photo of the roof via WhatsApp beforehand, we will give you a free estimate of the work.

How do you stop roof tiles shifting in the next storm?

A short check before the storm season and small repairs in good time prevent most storm damage. The wind mainly gets a grip on tiles that are already loose, broken or poorly fixed.

Have the roof checked every year, preferably in the autumn, before the autumn and winter storms.
Have loose and broken tiles replaced straight away. Univé advises checking for loose roof tiles before a forecast storm and having them fixed quickly.
Check the ridge tiles and verge tiles. They catch the most wind.
Keep the gutters clean, so that rainwater can drain away properly after a storm.
Secure loose items before the storm arrives: garden furniture, trampolines and wheelie bins can be blown against walls and windows.
Keep a few spare tiles, if you still have some. Then a matching replacement is quickly arranged.

I rent my home: who arranges the roof repair?

Report the damage to your landlord or housing association straight away. Repairing roof tiles is not one of the minor repairs at the tenant’s expense; for the roof, the Besluit kleine herstellingen (the Dutch decree on minor repairs) only lists cleaning gutters that can be reached. For damage to your own belongings, look at your own contents insurance.

When should you call a professional?

Call a professional as soon as you see or suspect that tiles have shifted, even if it is still dry inside. The next downpour quickly turns a small gap into a leak. In any case, do not wait if you see these signs:

water is coming in through the attic or the ceiling;
several tiles or ridge tiles have shifted or blown away;
there is damage around the chimney, the roof window or the dormer;
the gutter is hanging loose or crooked;
there are tiles half loose that could fall down in the next gust of wind.

Is there a damp patch left on the ceiling after the repair? We can also repair the plastering and painting, so that you do not have to look for another company. Also read our step-by-step plan for a leak in the house if the water is already inside.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a displaced roof tile back myself?

Only if there is no wind and it is dry, the roof is low and easy to reach and you can secure yourself against falling. In all other cases a professional is safer. They will also see damage you cannot see from the ladder, such as broken tile battens.

From what wind force does it count as storm damage?

Many insurers use wind force 7 or higher, about 50 km/h, measured by the KNMI. Univé, for example, uses that threshold. This differs per policy, so always check your own conditions.

Is a roof leak after a storm covered by buildings or contents insurance?

Damage to the roof, the ceiling and the walls usually falls under buildings insurance. Damage to furniture, clothing and appliances falls under contents insurance. If you rent, the landlord deals with the damage to the home.

Should I call my insurer first or a roofer first?

First limit the damage inside and take photos. Then call your insurer and ask whether you may call in a professional yourself. If an emergency repair is needed to prevent worse, keep the receipts and photos.

How long can I wait before repairing displaced roof tiles?

Preferably no longer than necessary. Every downpour can bring water under the tiles, and insurers often do not cover damage you could have prevented. Have the roof repaired as soon as the weather allows.

What if a roof tile from my roof falls on the neighbours’ car?

Take photos and talk to your neighbours. According to the Verbond van Verzekeraars, a car with WA-plus (extended third-party) or all-risks insurance is insured against storm damage, so the neighbours can then report the damage to their own car insurer. If in doubt, contact your own insurer.

Need help with roof tiles displaced by a storm in Almere?

Klusbedrijf MSZ is a family business from Almere and available 24/7. We put displaced roof tiles back, replace broken tiles and also check gutters and junctions in Almere, Lelystad and the surrounding area. On our page about roofing you can read more about our roof repairs.

The first hour on site costs €181.44 incl. VAT (€149.95 excl. VAT), then €108.84 incl. VAT (€89.95 excl. VAT) per hour. In Almere we charge no call-out charge, and elsewhere in our service area a fixed amount of €42.35 incl. VAT (€35 excl. VAT). See our prices or ask for a free quote. You can call or WhatsApp us on 06 19 74 36 78. Feel free to send a photo of the roof via WhatsApp, and we will take a look with you.