What to do when Spring Storms Wreak Havoc on your Home
Oh boy…just now I was sitting at my desk getting some work done when a fairly large thunderstorm 
rolled in. Lightening, thunder, rain and hail pounded my building. It was a pretty quick one, but it came in fast and hailed hard. It’s that time of year when these severe storms materialize and do damage to our homes and property. Wind, hail, rain and lightening can cause many problems. The thing we see most often with homeowners is that they’re not sure what to do when a severe storm pops up in their area.
Follow these tips to make sure you and your home are protected after a severe storm:
1. Check the outside of your home for obvious damage.
Look at your roof for missing shingles or holes you can see from your yard. Check your windows for broken or cracked glass and damaged trim. Walk around your house and look at your siding. If you see dents, chips or cracks, take note.
2. Call a qualified contractor to inspect for less obvious damage.
Some damage can’t be seen by an inspection from your yard. Getting up on your roof can be dangerous and much damage caused by severe storms can only be seen by a trained eye. Although this damage can be hard to spot, it can cause long-term harm to your home. A qualified contractor is trained to spot storm damage and should be experienced in working with insurance companies. They can help you submit a claim and make sure you get the coverage you need to make any necessary repairs.
3. Contact your insurance company.
Most insurance policies cover severe storm damage such as hail and wind. Check your policy details to see exactly what your policy offers in terms of coverage or call your agent to find out details. Every insurance company handles storm claims differently and has different requirements in terms of inspections, documentation, paperwork and completing the work. Most insurance companies will send out an adjuster to inspect your home and determine what damage has been done by the storm and what repairs need to happen. Make sure that your contractor is well versed in working with insurance companies; a good contractor can save you thousands of dollars and make sure you get the most out of your policy.
4. Hire a qualified contractor to make repairs to your home.
Once your insurance company has issued your claim, they should provide you with a detailed report on what repairs they will cover. By now, you should have done your homework and hired a qualified contractor to complete these repairs. Make sure your contractor is bonded and insured. Check with your neighbors to get recommendations on contractors they’ve used and had good experiences with. Do some research online – there are many sites where you can find reviews from homeowners so that you can get a clear picture of the contractors reputation; bbb.org, homeadvisor.com, houzz.com, and angieslist.com are a few places you can look.
