Autumn risks: Why this season demands extra attention

A riskier autumn landscape

Autumn has always brought changeable weather, but the scale and nature of these risks is evolving.

Across the UK, businesses continue to face weather-related risks such as flooding, storms and ground movement. Recent government reporting has highlighted the impact of sustained wet conditions and multiple storms, while flood risk mapping shows that a significant number of properties remain exposed to flooding. These risks can create uncertainty for businesses when reviewing property protection, maintenance and insurance arrangements.¹,²

For businesses, autumn is no longer just seasonal, it’s a key point for reviewing risk.

Key autumn exposures

While every business is different, several risks tend to come into sharper focus during autumn:

Trees and subsidence

Ground movement is influenced by wet winters followed by dry summers, causing soil to expand and contract. This increases the risk of subsidence and structural damage, particularly where trees affect soil moisture levels.

Flooding

Flood risk is both widespread and growing. Around 6.3 million properties in England are now in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water.²

Flood events can lead to significant disruption, financial loss and prolonged recovery.

Storm damage

Storm systems are increasingly associated with heavier rainfall and stronger winds over wider areas, meaning a single event can affect multiple regions. Combined with saturated autumn ground conditions, this heightens the risk of:

• Roof and structural damage
• Water ingress
• Localised flooding

Why wider weather patterns matter

Global weather systems can affect atmospheric circulation patterns, which may influence how and where rainfall and storm systems develop. While the impact on the UK will vary by season and event, these wider patterns can contribute to greater uncertainty in weather planning. For businesses, this reinforces the importance of reviewing flood, storm and business interruption exposure before the winter period.³

Why this matters at claim time

Autumn risks often become clear only after a loss. Common issues highlighted in claims include:

• Flood cover not aligned to actual exposure
• Subsidence limits below rebuilding costs
• Business interruption periods too short for modern repair times

Flooding in particular can have long-lasting impacts, with recovery often taking longer than expected.⁴

Where insurance fits in

As weather risks evolve, businesses may need to review whether their insurance arrangements remain appropriate. Businesses may find that:

• Cover extensions (e.g., flood or subsidence) do not reflect current exposures
• Policy limits are based on historic assumptions
• Business interruption periods no longer align with today’s recovery timelines

Insurers are increasingly factoring changing climate risks into pricing and coverage structures. Insurance cover, limits and exclusions will vary by policy, so businesses should review their individual arrangements with their broker.

What can businesses do now?

Autumn is an ideal time to review your position:

• Assess exposure to flood, storm and subsidence risks
• Check whether your location is in a flood risk area
• Check whether maintenance arrangements for roofs, drainage and trees are up to date
• Revisit business interruption assumptions
• Review whether your insurance arrangements reflect current, not historic, risks

Taking time to review weather-related exposures before the winter period may help businesses identify practical actions, improve resilience and support recovery planning.

Speak to your broker

Autumn is a useful time to check whether your cover reflects how weather risk behaves today, not how it used to.

Your broker can help you:

• Identify potential gaps in your cover
• Discuss whether your insurance remains aligned with current risk exposures
• Support preparation ahead of the winter season

A simple review now may help identify potential gaps before the worst weather arrives.

Talk to us

Call us on 01274 515747, email mail@lwood.co.uk, or drop by. We’re here Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.