Home insurance can help when a chimney is suddenly damaged by severe weather. It will not usually pay to put right mortar, flashing or brickwork that has simply worn out over time.

What goes wrong with chimneys?

• Mortar joints weather away.
• Flashing fails.
• Pots and cowls loosen.
• The stack begins to lean.

Keeping the chimney weather-tight and stable

• Repair open joints.
• Keep flashing weather-tight.
• Secure loose pots.
• Have a leaning stack checked before masonry becomes unsafe.

Sudden storm damage is different from worn mortar

An insurer is likely to consider both the weather that caused the damage and whether the chimney was already in poor repair.