Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Wind Damage?

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

High winds can cause trees to fall on your home.

Properties in Blue Ridge GA Are Susceptible To Wind Damage

Among all the extreme weather events, high winds are at the forefront of Blue Ridge’s weather challenges. A report that counted weather events from 1950 to 2010 shows how thunderstorm winds and hail winds have remained a source of great distress for its residents over the decades. In Blue Ridge, wind damage mitigation is a service used to identify wind damages to property structures.

While high winds and gusts of cool air are a blessing in stifling Georgia summers, they can quickly turn into something far damaging in adverse weather conditions. Your property and the wildlife around you are at risk when you are facing severe wind currents. 

Before we get into the technicalities of homeowners insurance and how SERVPRO can mitigate wind damage to your property, there are few things that you need to know about wind damages.

What Damage Can Wind Do?

Your Blue Ridge house can suffer a varying degree of damages depending on the speed of the winds. Roofing is the first sign of wind damage. After non-severe winds (ranging from 45 to 57 mph), you may notice loose shingles. Wind damages become severe when their speed exceeds the 58-mph mark. The structure of your property will go beyond a few loose shingles at extreme wind speeds. High winds can rip off perfectly fitted shingles as well as uproot the trees around your house. The damages up until winds at 58mph are still sustainable, but higher wind speeds will result in hefty repairs. 

How To Identify Wind Damage?

You can hire a professional at SERVPRO to inspect your roof for any wind damages though there are clear indicators that will show you whether your roof is suffering from wind damage or not. 

1. Chimney damages: Chimneys can show clear signs of wind damage when there are missing pieces. 
2. Roof Damages: Clear signs of roof damage are curling, peeling, and loose or missing bits and pieces from your roof.
3. Siding Damage: Like roof damage, siding damage will show peeling and loose or missing bits and pieces from your property's siding.

Depending on your house’s roof type, you’ll have to look for different materials missing from your house's structure. Common home materials in Blue Ridge, Georgia, include shingles, bricks, and asphalt. Damaged granules essential for roofs with shingles are often the cause of making them lose their grip. Inspecting drains and ventilation systems for roofing granules might be a good start to identify wind damages in your house’s roof.

Another thing that should be a dead giveaway for roof wind damages is water leakage caused by missing or loose soffit and fascia. Water damages are the precursor of wind damage, especially when your home has ceiling leaks.

SERVPRO Helps With Insurance Claims

Different insurance companies cover different types of house damages in their agreement. There is no standard answer that can be universally applicable for all insurance policies. You need to consult with your homeowner insurance company to determine whether they cover wind damage to your Blue Ridge property. 

Almost all insurance policies cover basic house damages, especially those caused by extreme weather events. However, keep in mind that some policies include a clause or two against damages caused by “natural disasters.”

SERVPRO cannot help you with your insurance coverage's legalities, but we can help you file your homeowner insurance claim. Everything you might need from damage estimates, cost of repairs and initial inspections will help you get your homeowner's insurance claim processed quickly. 

Your property needs to be inspected and taken care of after a windstorm. Call the IICRC certified professionals at SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties to inspect your property after a severe wind storm to prevent a water damage disaster.