Golf ball-sized hail is possible for the entirety of our viewing area this evening.
While it is harder to prepare for potential hail damage with such short-term notice, there are still some ideas that homeowners can explore to prevent vehicle and roof damage for future storms.
Principal-Agent Chad Wolford at RISE Insurance in Downtown Chattanooga says it is essential to check with your insurance agent that you have comprehensive coverage on your policy since this includes covering hail damage. It also helps to know the wind and hail damage deductibles to see if they are affordable beforehand. Independent insurance agents can shop for carriers for best policy for a specific situation, too.
Wolford explains the difference between comprehensive and full coverage: comprehensive coverage includes protection for everything but a collision, and full coverage includes having both collision and comprehensive coverage types.
“You know, hail storms happen anywhere. You may not always have the luxury of being at your house and being able to pull in a garage or a car port or something in that nature. So, it’s critical to have that coverage,” Wolford explains.
He mentions parking in a covered area or using hail covers, blankets, and/or cardboard can also prevent damage. If you are driving in a hail storm, Wolford says you can get under a gas station awning to protect your vehicle. The way you park your vehicle is a huge factor, too. It is important to avoid parking under power lines that could fall on your vehicle, and to know a potential comprehensive claim may happen if the car is parked under a tree and it falls.
“When you’re in a hail storm, you want to park your car at an angle into the hail so that the wind’s actually hitting the front of your car in the windshield because your windshield is impact-resistant glass whereas the other windows in your vehicle may not be,” Wolford says.
Wolford says in order to prevent glass from blowing throughout the home and to mitigate water damage, you can close the blinds from the inside of the house and use storm shutters. You can also use a plastic cover on your windows.
After making sure everyone is safe, Wolford warns to watch for downed power lines and broken glass before inspecting the property. He explains both a third party and your insurance company will inspect the roof if the third party suspects any damage. But it is recommended to use a local tree company with trusted credentials, to get multiple estimates, to have everything in writing, and to not sign anything from a company right away to avoid being scammed. Wolford suggests not paying the cost upfront, but rather, pay in installments of 10-30% down. All of these factors can affect insurance rates long-term.
“Document the damage clearly, make sure you take photos, multiple angles, close-ups, those type of things. And then, prevent further damage to your home… whether it be tarping in exposed areas or things of that nature. And, keep all of your receipts for that because you should be reimbursed,” Wolford says.
Wolford adds insurance is not meant for maintenance, but rather, it is meant to help with catastrophic events.
Replacing an asphalt roof every ten to fifteen years can give you a more favorable insurance rating, Wolford adds. Stronger materials can be used to get additional policy discounts. He explains insurance companies judge the lifetime of a roof based on material, UL rating, and impact-resistance. He says Class 3 or 4 shingles have the best strength and provide higher insurance discounts.
Additional ways to help prevent storm damage include:
- Inspect your roof and repair loose shingles as needed
- Securing gutters with downspouts to prevent water damage
- Move patio furniture and grills to a safer location to prevent home damage
- Trim trees near your home to prevent tree damage
- Install impact-resistant roofing materials in hail-prone areas
It is important to note that Wolford says if a neighbor knows their tree is a known hazard, they could be liable if that tree falls on your property and causes damage. However, if a healthy tree falls, insurance will likely cover any damage.
If you would like to learn more information about how you can prepare for potential storms, make sure to visit this list of tips from RISE Insurance.
