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Check for Storm Damage

7/16/2015

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How to Check Your Property for Damage After a Storm

When a big storm hits and the tornado warnings sound in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you hunker down inside, relying on your home to protect you and your family. Once that storm passes, though, it’s time to repay the favor — identifying damage and protecting your home from further issues.

The National Storm Damage Center has a number of resources and tips for homeowners. Here are four major things the agency – and we here at ALINK Insurance Services – recommends you check after a storm:



1.   Your roof: If you see holes, split seams or missing shingles on your roof or if you notice leaking inside or out, it’s a good idea to have a qualified inspector come assess the situation.
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2.   Your exterior: Siding, brick and stucco are all vulnerable to storm damage. You’ll want to look for cracking, chipping or dings and dents in siding, and for holes in stucco. Look closely and at different times of the day. Some homeowners don’t notice damage until it’s too late to file a claim, and different lighting can reveal damage you didn’t see before.
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3.   Driveways and walkways: Cracking and splitting can create safety hazards, as well as reduce the lifespan of the concrete.
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4.   Trees: According to the National Storm Damage Center, fallen trees and limbs cause more than $1 billion in damage annually. Check roofs, vehicles, fences and machinery for fallen limbs that may have caused damage or could pose a risk. Clean up what you safely can and rely on a reputable tree removal service to handle the rest. Depending on the circumstances, your homeowners insurance policy may help with tree removal and damage repair costs – if you experience a covered loss, that is.
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A few more helpful tips:

  • Keep trees well maintained and trimmed. Also notify neighbors if you see any overhanging branches on any of theirs.
  • Know your insurance. Take a look at your policy so you know what’s covered, what your limits and deductibles are, etc. This will prevent any surprises during the claims process.
  • Take pictures. Photographs can help you show the cause and extent of any storm damage that occurs.



Of course, if you’ve suffered through a major storm, don’t hesitate to call us at ALINK Insurance Services for help with an insurance claim or with finding a professional property inspector.

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States: 877-643-6148

We’re your link to security!


Photo 1; Photo 2 by Kiel Ortega / CC BY; Photo 3; Photo 4 by Kiel Ortega / CC BY
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Protect Your Car From Hail

7/9/2015

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Hail.  We've all been there.  We know all too well of that car-denting, roof-damaging, huge, pounding HAIL that our Colorado summers bring.  According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, hailstorms have caused more than $3 billion in insured damage over the last ten years in Colorado alone.

So, what can you do to help protect your car from hail and avoid those costly repairs when the next storm strikes? Here are a few ideas.

  1. Get covered parking.  If hail is predicted, and covered parking is available, USE IT.  Consider setting up weather alerts on your phone and loading the locations of nearby parking garages into your GPS. When a hail storm is on the forefront, head for the closest parking garage to ride out it out.  If you can't reach it in time, look for something like an overpass or gas station canopy to help minimize the impact.
  2. Bring on the linens.  If your home doesn't have a garage, or if you will be somewhere where covered parking isn't available, get something over your car. Cover the car with thick blankets, comforters, large towels, or anything you have on hand when a hail warning is issued.
  3. Grab the floor mats.  Don't have blankets? Use the floor mats.  If you are caught in a hailstorm and can't find cover, pull over in a safe location, take out the floor mats, and put them on the roof and hood of your car.  This solution isn't foolproof; the mats won't cover the entire car, but they could help you avoid excessive damage.
  4. Buy a car cover designed to protect against hail.  If you want to pull out the big guns and have a reliable form of protection readily accessible in your vehicle, investing in an anti-hail car cover may be the ideal solution.
  5. Ask us about Comprehensive coverage.  Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage caused by things like weather or fire, and in most cases, will cover hail damage too. Give us a call here at ALINK Insurance Services and we can discuss what coverage will be right for you.

Denver Metro/Parker: 303-752-6479
Colorado Springs: 719-473-6262
Greeley: 970-475-0900
Surrounding States:
877-643-6148

Don't let hail get the best of you!  Check back to this post about Hail Damage for tips if you ever find yourself and/or your property caught in severe weather.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and stay safe out there!
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Source: Gerber Collision & Glass 
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