Blog Post

After Wind Damage, Your Insurance Company Requires That You Fix the Situation as Quickly As Possible to Prevent Further Damage!

National Severe Storms Laboratory says thunderstorm winds account for half of all severe damage reports in the lower 48. When these gusty winds are around, homeowners lose shingles, lawn furniture goes flying (which can cause all kinds of damage), and even trees can be blown over. Wind destroys roofs and allows water to enter buildings. You can get your claim denied if you fail to mitigate your property loss! We as consumers and insurance policyholders are mandated to mitigate a known loss as soon as absolutely possible. This is why you don't need to get estimates for emergency services. Pick the company you trust and get moving quickly.

What To Do After You Receive Wind Damage?

Call a professional restoration company. A good restoration company will be able to help you secure your property and prevent further damage. Good restoration companies work diligently to minimize your out of pocket by knowing what your insurance company wants and how best to hand your damage. A good restoration company's goal is to help their customers discern whether or not filing a claim is a viable option. If it is possible and the mitigation and repairs are within the customer's budget, one should not file a claim and simply pay it out of pocket (self-pay). If a deductible is $1,000 (typical now) for example and the project is $4,000 then let the insurance do what it is designed to do.

Typical Services Provided by Restoration Companies After Wind Problems

• Removing fallen trees
• Removing standing water
• Securing your home from further damage (board-ups, temporary doors, etc)
• Securing your home from vandalism and theft
• Winterizing your plumbing in freezing temperatures so your pipes don't rupture
• Providing temporary power source
• Managing the insurance claim process on your behalf and reduce the stress levels
• Consultation services that provide solid data for making the best decisions
• Procure insurance funds to bring your property back to a pre-loss condition

Types of Wind

Wind damage has become so common that the government has now labeled different types of winds…

• Microburst Wind – This is a short burst of damaging winds that are on the surface of the earth.. They usually last a very short time.
• Haboob – This is a wind of dust that is pushed along the ground by a thunderstorm downdraft.
• Derecho Wind – This is a widespread, long-lasting storm that is associated with many fast moving rain showers

There isn't a place in our country where wind can't cause major damage. The Midwest is known for tornadoes and the Northeast and upper Midwest endure blizzards. Derecho winds exist all across the nation.

Quick Tips on How to Prepare for an Emergency

• Document your belongings (prior to the loss via camera and/or videos; document on paper high-value items and consider insurance endorsements on these items or a safe)
• Place important documents in a small safe (fire/waterproof) where it can be easily accessed in emergency events
• Have emergency numbers, supplies, batteries, etc located in a central location
• Identify a common area of the home where your family can be most protected from violent wind events

A good restoration company can make sure wind damage handled properly so that you're out of pocket damage liability is kept to a minimum. We've helped numerous home and business owners and they and their insurance company always appreciate our surgical approach to restoration!