The weather can change quickly during the spring months, sometimes catching you off guard and posing a serious threat to safety. Make sure you have access to severe weather alerts and know what—and what not—to do if severe weather, such as a hail storm, strikes.
If you are outside during a hail storm, seek shelter immediately. The safest place to be is indoors in a sturdy building. If you cannot find shelter, try to find a low-lying area and cover your head with your hands or a cushion.
Do not go outside during a hail storm, even if you are tempted to check on your property. Wait until the storm has passed and it is safe to venture outside.
While You’re Driving
If hail strikes while you’re behind the wheel, it could dent the body of your vehicle or even crash through the windows or windshield—potentially injuring you as well. Take the following precautions to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.
Do not get out of your vehicle if you are driving during a hailstorm.
- If you can pull over to the side of the road, do so safely.
- Park your car on an angle so that the hail hits the front of your car, since your windshield is made of reinforced glass, whereas the side and rear windows are not.
- In a severe storm, position your back to the windows inside your vehicle and lie down. Then, cover yourself with a blanket from your roadside emergency supply kit. This will protect you in the event that the hail breaks any of your car windows.
- If your car suffered damage to any of the windows, remove broken glass immediately to avoid injuries.
Generally, your comprehensive auto policy will pay for the damages caused by severe weather and natural disasters. Locate a body shop that you trust to make any necessary repairs.
- Discuss the extent of the damage with the body shop and your insurance agent.
- Before leaving the shop, make sure that you are fully satisfied with the repairs made to your vehicle. Check for any remaining dents and obtain a written guarantee of their services.
Stay Inside to Protect Yourself
Your personal safety is most important! If there is a major hailstorm in your area, do not leave the comfort of your home or work, or attempt to cover your car with blankets or move it to a different location. You may suffer injuries while trying to protect your vehicle. Your safety is priceless; your vehicle’s safety is not.
Protecting Your Property Against Hail
Knowing the spring brings volatile weather, you can take preventive measures before storms hit.
Hailstorms can be swift and destructive, damaging buildings, outdoor equipment and vehicles in a matter of minutes. For commercial property owners, such damage can result in destroyed property, costly repairs, business disruptions and lost revenue.
Potential Risks
Around 6 million properties in the United States experience one or more damaging hail events each year, with annual losses of over $14 million. Businesses located in areas that experience hailstorms may be susceptible to severe damage to equipment and components, including:
- Roofs
- Windows
- Rooftop heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment
- Cooling towers
- Exposed glass and plastic components of outdoor equipment
- Vehicles
Repairing a building damaged by hail can cost a lot of time and money. For commercial property, severe building damage can even result in business disruptions—such as shutdowns or limited operations—that lead to a loss of revenue or harm a business’s reputation among stakeholders and customers.
Preventive Measures
To limit the potential damage of hailstorms, property owners should be proactive in protecting their buildings. They can take the following measures:
- Conduct regular roof inspections. Be sure to replace any worn or weak areas, as their condition may be made worse from a hailstorm. Installing “severe hail” or “Class 4” impact-resistant roof materials can also limit the amount of damage done by hail.
- Utilize rooftop equipment and protections designed to withstand hail. Install hail guards, shields and wire mesh over vulnerable areas like skylights, roof vents, and HVAC units to keep rooftop equipment safe.
- Install windows with impact-resistant glass. Protect windows against hail by using impact-resistant glass, which is less likely to shatter than regular glass. Impact-resistant doors are also available.
- Trim Trees. Trim trees and overhanging branches that could damage your roof and siding, should they fall.
- Watch the weather. Be aware of the local forecast so valuables and equipment can be moved to safe locations before severe weather hits.
Conclusion
It’s hard to predict a hail storm, but you can still be prepared for them. By taking the time to implement preventive measures, homeowners and commercial property owners can reduce the impact of hailstorms on their buildings.
In the event that you do experience property damage, our in-house claims team will help guide you through the process and get your life back to normal ASAP.
Let’s Talk
For more tips to make your home and business smarter and safer, contact Delmarva’s insurance experts at Deeley Insurance Group today! Call or text 410.213.5600.
