What to Do After a Hailstorm

When a hailstorm hits, most homeowners first worry about cars and any uncovered vehicles that may be outside the home. Another concern is household damage. Hailstorms can cause a lot of damage to your property. Check out this guide on what to do after a hailstorm so you can properly assess your property’s damage.

Check on your car

If you park your car outside, check them for signs of damage. Hailstorms can cause significant harm to roofs, hoods, windows, windshields, mirrors, and more. Carefully inspect each vehicle, and take photos of any potential hail damage you see. Contact your insurance company for more information on repairs and what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

Look at your gutters

Check your gutters for any signs of damage. Hail can wreak havoc on your gutters. Get up on a ladder, if you’re able to do so safely—or if not, enlist the help of someone who can—and look closely at your gutters. Take pictures of them and date stamp them for the future in case you need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance.

Inspect your roof

One of the most common victims of a hailstorm is roofing. The issue with roofing and hailstorms is that hail can cause damage that you may not be able to see right away. It will first cause a form of bruising that may not be noticeable. Make sure to follow a checklist to check for post-storm roof damage so you can identify any damage to the roof and correctly relay the information to your insurance company.

Check on any outdoor equipment you have

If you have a shed, playground, trampoline, pool, or anything of that nature, inspect it for any signs of damage. These structures could pose a threat to users if they collapse or malfunction. If you see signs of damage, replace or dispose of the damaged parts right away and, to ensure safety, do not use the equipment until repairs are complete.