Hail 101: Who’s at risk and preventing damage
Did you know?
- The largest hailstone ever recorded in the U.S. measured 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds.
- There were more than 6,000 major hail storms in the U.S. in 2017.
- Hail causes about $1 billion dollars in damage to crops and property each year.
What is hail?
Hail forms during a thunderstorm when raindrops are carried upward into cold areas of the atmosphere, where they freeze into balls of ice. These balls of ice, or hailstones, can travel up to 120mph, range in size from a pea to a softball, and can damage roof shingles, skylights, car windows, and more
Who is most at risk?
Much of the damage from hail occurs during the spring and summer, when warm and humid weather fuels severe thunderstorms, yet hail can occur at any time of year.
While hailstorms can happen across the country, states in the Great Plains and Midwest are most frequently impacted, including Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Missouri, and the Dakotas. On the east coast, hailstorms are common around the Potomac and Chesapeake Bays and along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.
How to prevent damage before a storm hits
Install a hail-resistant roof. There is no such thing as a hail-proof roof, but products composed of synthetic slate, asphalt, or coated metals will help prevent damage. Class 4 shingles are considered to be the most resistant to impact.
Consider storm shutters. If you live in a hail-prone area, storm shutters on your windows and doors can help protect glass from shattering.
Evaluate the age and condition of your skylights, vents, or other roof fixtures. These things can become brittle as they age, increasing the risk for hail or water damage during a severe storm.
Make sure you have the right insurance. If your home is damaged or a worker is injured while making repairs, you will want to make sure you have enough coverage to protect your home and your family from liability claims.
What to do during a hailstorm
Stay informed. Monitor local weather and news updates if severe weather is in the forecast.
Move inside. Seek shelter immediately until the storm subsides.
Cover your car. Park it in a carport or garage. Otherwise, you can buy a car cover or use layers of blankets to help protect against damage.
Protect against breaking glass. Close drapes, blinds, and window shades and stay away from skylights and windows.
Avoid injuries. To avoid storm-related electrical hazards, stay away from corded phones, electronics, and do not touch metal objects like stoves, metal pipes, and sinks.
What to do if you experience damage
Cover up holes. Cover any holes or broken areas of your roof or windows to keep water from seeping in and damaging your home or car’s interior.
Contact your insurance company to begin the claims process. If you’re a Chubb client, we’ll be able to refer you to a reputable contractor who can fix your home, and we’ll make you whole again, quickly and without hassle. If you can’t live in your home while it’s being repaired, you’ll be kept comfortable elsewhere, whether that’s in a premium hotel or a similar home in your neighborhood and school district.
Find an agent to learn more about protecting yourself against hail damage. Or if you’re already a Chubb client, log in to review your coverage.
This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.
Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at chubb.com. Insurance provided by ACE American Insurance Company and its U.S. based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. All products may not be available in all states. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. Surplus lines insurance sold only through licensed surplus lines producers. Chubb, 202 Hall's Mill Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-1600.
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