4 Steps to Take After a Storm!

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

The aftermath of a storm to personal property in Redding, California

Three years ago, a strong hail storm made its debut, in Redding, California. Hailstones covered the ground like a blanket of snow, creating widespread damage around the city and long wait times for roofing contractors. But that doesn't even compare to the record-breaking hail storm that occurred in Hondo, TX on April 28, 2021. Measuring 6.4 inches in diameter and weighing 1.26 pounds, this storm spit out the world's largest hailstone to date! 

U.S. hail storms normally occur between May through August and cause an average of $15 Billion in damages to personal property each year, with the year 2021 producing over 3,700 hail-producing storms, according to the National Weather Service. But have no fear, according to insurance.com, most standard home insurance should cover hail damage to your property minus the deductible. With us being smack in the middle of hail-producing storm season, it's a great time to review your home and car insurance policy. Hail storms don't just affect your roof and car but can cause damage to your home siding, drywall, and windows, making hail and wind damage the most common insurance claim. So here are a few steps to follow if you experience hail damage to your personal property. 

• Examine your property to assess any damage to your property. 

• Use websites like angi.com to find local roofing companies with good reviews. Finding someone you can trust is important and extremely necessary when asking for quotes. Storm chasing roofing companies love to follow the aftermaths of storms. Bringing the chance of being scammed along with them. 

• Document the damage. 

• Grab your smartphone or camera and take a quick look around your property. Here are a few tips on how to take pictures of your damaged property. 

• Take multiple-angle pictures. 
• Document every detail up close and from far away. 
• Take as many photos as possible. There is no such thing as "too" many photos. 
• Take photos of the landscape, fallen trees, and broken limbs. Having detailed "before" pictures of your house and landscape could help show what property was damaged.
• Make sure the time-stamp on your photos is correct. This will help provide proof, for your insurance company the storm did cause the damage. 
• Call the professionals for photos and examing of your roof. Most professional roofing companies train their inspectors in how to spot storm damage. 

• Contact your insurance provider. 

• Call your insurance provider immediately after you have examined yourself for injuries, looked for damage to your property, and taken photos. Your insurance agent will be able to review your policy and recommend what local roofing companies are covered. 

• Call SERVPRO of North Shasta, Trinity, and Greater Tehama Counties. 

Lastly, if you find hail damage to your roof and notice any wet spots or water damage give us a call. Our technicians are trained and certified in water damage restoration, water drying, and mold remediation. We also provide 24-hour, 7 days a week, window board-up service, to keep any more damage from occurring to your property. We are your 5-star google rated local restoration company that you can trust! Give us a call today! 530-222-0200