On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike ravaged Texas and caused havoc in the Gulf. The next day, a Sunday, a friend and I headed to Paul Brown Stadium to watch the Bengals take on the Tennessee Titans. It was a great day for football – 88 and partly cloudy – little did we know how quickly things would change. By kickoff we could tell something was off. Trash was being blown from the upper deck onto the field, cheerleaders were being knocked over, and the goal posts were swaying more than the hula girl on a ’50’s dashboard. Even with all that going on, our seats in the lower bowl were pretty unaffected and we couldn’t tell what was causing all of the commotion.
When we left the stadium, the tri-state had become a different world. Trees were down everywhere and power was out all over the region. Some areas lost power for over a week. Thousands of roofs were damaged severely, most requiring replacement.
The national weather service measures wind at major airports. That day at CVG, the highest wind gust was measured at 74 mph (second highest on record) and sustained winds measured 54 mph (the third highest on record.) The storm is officially known for that day as an Ohio Valley Windstorm.
I relate that story for two reasons. One is that storms can pop up at any time and originate from the unlikeliest of situations. The second is that even when you feel protected, things can be swirling just out of sight and causing damage. You need coverage for the common as much as the uncommon.
What is wind and hail coverage?
Are you covered? Most homeowners are protected from wind and hail damage via their basic home insurance policies. Common claims include broken windows, siding damage, and harm to roof and shingles. Some things to keep in mind, however, are things like depreciation, your deductible, and general maintenance stipulations – all of which add up to the potential for out-of-pocket costs when it comes to evaluating your wind and hail coverage strategy.
Do I need wind and hail coverage?
As mentioned above, most basic home insurance policies cover wind and hail accidents, but it is important to be versed in exceptions. Be sure that windstorm and other named storms are covered, look for coverage that is inclusive of “all perils,” or opt for a separate wind/ hail coverage policy that is best suited for you and your family’s needs.
How do I tell if there is wind or hail damage to my roof?
Wind and hail damage to your property can look very different depending on the severity of the wind as well as the materials of your home. Three major signs for common roof issues include bruising, cracking or missing shingles, and loss of granules from the asphalt. Any easy tell is damage that has exposed the black substrate. This is a clear sign that something has occurred and you will want to act quickly before the situation is exacerbated by another storm or weather event.
Be aware of other issues related to wind and hail damage like harm to your chimney, peeling or curling siding, etc. and keep in mind other hazards like trees and branches that can cause damage and may require further coverage through your policy.
If you are looking for more details about wind and hail coverage, or how you can ensure your homeowners insurance policy is current and you are protected in the event of a wind or hail weather event, contact our office:
J.M. Insurance & Financial
Our agency’s mission is to recommend coverage and policies meeting each individual need.