How Commonly is Roof Damage Caused by Hail?
Hail damage claims are on the rise across the United States, including in Toledo OH. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), insurance claims from hail damage rose 84% from 2010 to 2013 to almost 862,000 claims in one year. In 2012, hail and wind damage cost State Farm and policyholders almost $4 billion. Texas is responsible for most hail damage claims at more than 160,000 per year, but Toledo homeowners can also experience hail roof damage after a storm. In 2012, Ohio was the state with the fourth highest hail losses in the country. It’s true that Texas has the highest number of claims, but most hail in the country falls in the Midwest.
Construction roofing crew uses power tools to screw and fasten sheet metal to the roof rafters of a building.
According to some reports, hail damage claims are at nearly double historical claim totals. The country is experiencing a growing number of severe storms, with almost 5,500 major hail storms in 2013 alone. It’s estimated that 30% of premiums U.S. homeowners pay to insurance companies goes to wind and hail damage.
How to Identify Hail Damage to Your Roof
Hail doesn’t just damage vehicles; it can also cause damage to your roof. The degree and type of damage will depend on many factors, including wind speed, roof type, tree cover, and the size and density of the hailstones.
How the roof damage looks will also depend on the type of roof on your home. If you have composition or asphalt shingles, you may notice random damage with no pattern. You may also see:
- Black strike marks from hailstones
- Granule loss
- Mat or asphalt looks shiny
- Hit marks are soft to the touch like bruised fruit
If you have wood shingles, you may see a split in the shingle with an orange/brown color and sharp edges. You may also see impact marks and dents along the splits.
Most hail that strikes your roof during a storm may be too small to cause damage, but a certain of oddly shaped or large hailstones can cause severe damage. Sometimes this damage is not obvious and your roof may not leak for months or even years.
What to Do After a Hail Storm
Don’t attempt to go into a hail storm to protect property as you may be hurt. Wait for the storm to pass before assessing the damage. If you see trees or shrubs stripped of foliage, there is a good chance your roof was also damaged. If you see signs of roof damage, take photos of the evidence and contact your insurance agent right away. Almost all homeowner’s insurance policies cover hail damage. Your agent will help you submit a claim, at which point you can select a repair company or contractor in Toledo OH to perform repairs.
Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be possible to repair your roof by replacing a few damaged shingles or a damaged section of the roof. If 40% or more of the roof was damaged, roof replacement may be the only option to restore integrity to your roof and protect your home from further damage.
Call All-Nu Construction today and start the process of remodeling, renovating and improving your home. Find us online at www.all-nuconstruction.com/, visit us in Toledo, OH at 5465 Enterprise Boulevard or call us at (419) 242-5568.