If there has been a strong storm, hail, or tornado warning in your area, there will be damage to the homes in your neighborhood as well. To make sure you catch the damage before it becomes a bigger issue, you’ll want to do a home check. Observing your home’s damage is also key to making sure your insurance claim is processed and covers all the areas of your structure that it possibly can.
Here are five key points you’ll want to note after a storm to maximize your insurance claim coverage:
1. CONFIRM THE DATE OF LOSS
This will most likely be the date of the storm itself. If the storm rolled in overnight, pick the date of the morning after the storm as the date of loss. Make sure to save this date!
2. INSPECT YOUR PROPERTY
Check for evidence of the storm. Look for spatter, or hail mark stains, on your A/C unit or roof.
Pro-Tip: Document everything.
Write down what you find, but more importantly, take pictures! Take your phone with you as you walk your property and capture everything you find with the camera function.
3. CHECK YOUR SIDING
Check for evidence of the storm. Look for spatter, or hail mark stains, on your A/C unit or roof.
What you should check for depends on the type of siding you have:
- Aluminum
Look for wind pulling the siding away from your home, spatter, and dents. - Vinyl
Look for wind damage, spatter, and cracking. - Cedar
Check to see if it chipped or splintered in any places.
4. LOOK AT YOUR ROOF
Emphasis on look. We cannot advocate climbing on roofs for safety purposes. Instead, step back and take a look. Use your phone’s camera to zoom in and look for damage. You can always have us come out and look for you.
5. DOUBLE-CHECK FOR INTERIOR DAMAGE
Go room by room, checking each wall and every ceiling, for evidence of water damage. Don’t forget to document your findings.
Remember, it is essential to get your damage assessed and submitted to insurance even if you have snow. Also, taking care of these issues immediately prevents potential leaking and water damage.