If you happen to live in one of the southern and central plain states, then hailstorms should not be an uncommon occurrence to you. Hailstorms in this region are the result of collision between the moist dry air from The Gulf of Mexico and the cold and dry air from Canada. In general, hailstorms don’t cause casualties, or as severe damage as other natural disasters such as tornadoes or typhoons. However, house owners in hailstorm prone areas do consider hailstorm as an acute nuisance, because of the damage it causes to property.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recorded over 6,000 hailstorms during the year 2017. Even though hailstorms were not that much destructive in the past, in recent years the damages caused by this calamity have increased quite significantly. Hailstorms account for 70% of all the losses caused by different types of storms in the US. That pretty much sums up why you, as a homeowner, should take them more seriously. Understanding how a hailstorm can ravage your property will help you take measures to mitigate the damages as much as possible in case a hailstorm occurs in your area.
Roof Damage
Unfortunately, roofs are the most obvious victims of hailstorms. Depending on the degree of the storm, your roof can suffer from minor to major damages. A hailstorm can even reach more than 100 mph speed, and when your roof is struck by such speedy hail, damages can certainly occur. The worst part is, it is very difficult to detect hail damage on your roof. If your roof has a metal structure, you will notice the dents, but for flat roofs, that is not the case for sure. Be sure to carefully examine your roof to detect potential damages. This way you will be able to avoid any potential conflict with your insurer during the time of settling hailstorm claims.
Window Damage
I think this is very obvious as well. Just like your roof, your windows are completely exposed to hail during a storm. Glass windows can get shattered very easily because of large hail particles. If hail breaks through your windows, it can cause a much more serious problem. Even your family members can get injured by the pieces of glass. If you live in a hailstorm prone area, then it is important for you to add protection to your windows, and even doors if possible.
Siding Damage
While the lion share of hail damage on your home’s siding would be cosmetic, a too intense hailstorm can even cause leaks and cracks. Just like roof damage, siding damage can be difficult to notice. If your house contains painting instead of siding, then you need to examine the damage in a bit different way. You’ll have to look for any fresh peel in the painting, and carefully look for potential damages in the wood underneath. This is an issue you need to sort out as soon as possible, because exposed wood can rot very soon, increasing your repair costs by quite some margin. Unfortunately, if the damage caused by hail falls under the cosmetic damage category, you are not likely to receive any insurance coverage for that. Usually basic homeowners insurance doesn't account for any damage that does not affect the functionality of your house. That’s why you should consider adding a separate scheme to your insurance policy to cover for cosmetic damage if you live in a hailstorm prone area. Sure, this will push the price of your premium up, but it will be worth it for sure.
Miscellaneous Damages
Among other common types of hailstorm damages, air conditioning system damage is a notable one. If large pieces of hail fall on the fins of your air conditioning unit, its function will surely impede because of restricted air flow. Flue vents, as well as chimneys, are susceptible to hailstorm damage as well. However, most probably hailstorm damages will not affect the functionality of these units, as most of the time they suffer cosmetic damage. If you happen to have a garden in your house, hailstorms can cause damages like destroying the flowerbeds, making a mess of newly plowed land etc. For this reason, the houses in hailstorm prone areas don’t have gardens that often.
Conclusion
The types of damages I have explained in this article are just the most common ones, and there are many other types of minor damages that I have not mentioned. Hailstorms are indeed a very serious problem for homeowners in some areas, but it’s the reality. That’s why you should consider getting specific insurance premiums that cover hailstorm damages should you live in one of such areas.
Do you live in a hailstorm affected area? What is your experience with hailstorms? Let me know in the comment section.
