Protect Your Home from Hail Damage

Hail can create dents in aluminum siding, gutters, and shingles. It also has the potential to crack the surface of asphalt shingles and vinyl siding. Smaller hailstones are less likely to cause damage unless the wind is very strong - however, hail can affect the condition of your shingles over time. Larger hailstones can be dense enough and strong enough to potentially put a hole in your roof or break a window. Ultimately, the amount of damage a hailstorm can cause generally depends on the size of the hail, and the duration and severity of the storm.

Ignoring hail damage to your roof or siding can lead to the spread of mold and mildew in your home. That's because the holes left by hail can trap water, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Failure to repair hail damage on your roof could also lead to leaks, potential electrical issues, and rotting wood, which are expensive to fix.

If you're a TD Insurance customer, your home insurance policy likely includes damage from weather-related events, including coverage for hail. But not all insurance companies may include hailstorm coverage in their home insurance policies, so you'll want to review your coverage to ensure you have adequate protection. 

If your car is damaged by a hailstorm, you'll need to have either Comprehensive, All Perils, or Specified Perils coverage on your policy for your insurance to cover the repairs to your vehicle (less the cost of your deductible).

Contact your insurance company if you have questions about your coverage. TD Insurance customer? Login to MyInsurance to review your coverage.

It's hard to predict when a hailstorm will strike. Consider the tips below to help reduce your risk of danger and damage ahead of a hail forecast.

• Move vehicles into a covered area: If possible, be sure to move any cars, RVs or other vehicles into a shed or garage.
• Secure patio furniture and other loose property: Hail and high winds often go hand-in-hand, so take some time to secure any items in your yard that could turn into projectiles in heavy gusts. 
• Consider impact-resistant shingles: Using impact resistant shingles on your roof can help reduce replacement frequency. Plus, impact resistant shingles are typically made from recycled materials, making them more eco-friendly than traditional asphalt shingles. Learn more about how we could help you rebuild with eco-friendly materials following a covered claim. 

When a hailstorm begins, you could reduce your risk of damage by:

• Staying inside: Take shelter when a hailstorm strikes. If you're at home, stay inside and keep a safe distance from windows, glass doors, and skylights. 
• Keeping drapes and blinds closed: Closing drapes and blinds can add an additional layer of protection should a window crack or break during a hailstorm.
• Preventing a power surge: Turn off or unplug your appliances in case you experience a power outage to reduce your chance of a power surge when the electricity returns.
• Finding cover if you're on the road: If you’re in your vehicle during a hailstorm, pull into a covered structure like a gas station or parking garage until the hail stops. If you can't find shelter for your car, try to position your vehicle in a way that your windshield is taking the brunt of the damage. Windshields are often reinforced — but side or back windows generally aren't.

Hailstorms can bring stones as small as peas and as large as grapefruits, so not every storm will look the same. No matter the size of the hailstone, there are some things you should consider when dealing with the aftermath of a hailstorm at home:

• Check for damages: Once the hailstorm passes and it's safe to do so, walk around your home to check for damage to your roof, siding, windows, and other areas of your property. While hail damage on your roof can be hard to spot, if you notice that there's new dents on your deck, gutters, or downspouts, that could mean that there's damage on your roof as well. The best way to know for sure if your roof has been damaged in a hailstorm is to have it inspected by a professional. 
• Photograph hail damaged property: If the impact of wind and hail resulted in damage to your shingles, siding, windows, or other areas of your home, take photographs of the cracks, dents, and dings for your insurance claim. 
• Keep your receipts: If you've incurred any costs associated with hail damage to your home, like clean up or repair costs, be sure to save your receipts. You may be able to submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
• Check your gas line: Hail has the potential to puncture your gas line, creating a leak. If you detect a gas leak, shut off the valves in your home and contact your energy company.

The cost to repair or replace your roof depends on the extent of the damage. Things like wind speed, the angle of your roof, and even the material your shingles are made of, can affect the way hail impacts your home - and ultimately, the cost to fix your roof after a hailstorm. While minor dents and cracks can generally be repaired at a relatively low cost, significant damage may require a full roof replacement and result in a more expensive bill. Depending on your coverage, your home insurance may be able to help you cover the cost to repair or replace your roof following a hailstorm.

Contact your insurance company to start your hail damage claim. Typically, your insurer will ask for a detailed list of all the damage to your home, property, and belongings. If you're a TD Insurance customer, you can start your claim right from your phone, with step-by-step guidance via the TD Insurance app. You'll have a TD Insurance Claims Advisor helping you through each part of the claims process - from confirming the damage to your home caused by the hailstorm, to arranging for emergency repairs and temporary accommodation if needed. Depending on the circumstances and subject to your policy's coverage, we may be able to dispatch emergency services to provide solutions to mitigate further damage and put your safety first. For your convenience, we also offer a network of preferred vendors to fix your roof, siding, broken windows, or other areas of your home following a covered claim.

Protect your home and belongings with coverage that fits your needs. Get a quote and buy home insurance online today.