HAIL & WIND INSURANCE CLAIM LAWYERS
Contesting underpaid hail & wind damage insurance claims nationwide
As weather patterns are proving to be more violent and unpredictable with each year, it is important to consider the effects of hail and wind storms to your home or business. Wind and hail damages are very easily underestimated since they are not always visible to the untrained eye, especially from the ground looking up. Having a trained professional climb onto the roof and conduct a full inspection is the best way to find these types of issues. Unfortunately, it is extremely common for insurance company adjusters to inspect from the ground, and to only inspect areas you point them to. This leads to hidden weaknesses in your roof and repair benefits that you may be due from the insurance company. These types of problems can escalate over time, especially in areas where storms are regular or frequent, and having legal advocates can help tremendously in these scenarios.
HAIL DAMAGE
We’re helping consumers get paid fairly on hail damage insurance claims
Hailstones pose many threats for property owners. Ice spheres fall to the ground at different sizes from great lengths, and at varying speeds. When hail is in the forecast, we rush to protect what we can: bringing our cars into the garage, covering or storing our patio or lawn furniture, and closing the blinds to protect better from broken windows. Although hail storms can be relatively brief at an average of 5 minutes, they can result in extensive damages and often injury. Insurance companies are notorious for deflecting damages resulting from hail, routinely denying claims due to manufacturer’s defects or pre-existing reasons. Galindo Law can assist in investigating and calculating hail damages, while working with the insurance company to make sure you are accurately compensated.
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What is hail damage?
Hail damage occurs when frozen droplets of water are released from a thunderstorm cloud and fall to the ground as ice formations called hailstones. These chunks of ice wreak havoc on a home as they crack, dent, brake, or penetrate certain areas of the home upon impact. Anywhere from 5 millimeters and 15 centimeters in diameter, the most common hailstones are either jaggedly formed or rounded by nature. As with wind damage, roofs are the most susceptible to damage by hailstones.
WIND DAMAGE
Galindo Law uncovers common wind damages that are missed or underpaid
Imagine your roof shingles being lifted by high winds and then falling back to place after the storm. Or think of the seal in your double-pane window that has been invisibly broken by the pressure of the wind. Although things may look normal at first glance, there are layers of materials that could now be compromised and in need of repair or replacement. Your roof can be weakened without it being obvious. Foggy windows from your broken seal may not appear for months later even.
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What is wind damage?
Most people think of tornadoes or hurricanes when it comes to wind damage, but any type of storm with high winds can be problematic to your property. In fact, in most areas of the lower 48 states, wind damage is more likely to happen during a severe thunderstorm than from a tornado. Damaging winds - also known as “straight-line” winds unless speaking of tornadoes - are generally classified by speeds in excess of 50 - 60 mph. Severe thunderstorms can also create downdrafts that can reach up to 100 mph. Roofs tend to be the most susceptible as strong winds produce projectiles, debris, and fallen trees.
At what speeds can wind be damaging?
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Gale Force Winds (39 – 46 mph) - Not typically structural damaging, but the winds can cause small tree limbs and branches to break.
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Strong Gale (45 – 57 mph) - Tree branches and limbs broken, roof shingles loosened or blown off, and building damage can occur.
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Whole Gale (55 – 63 mph) - Small trees can be uprooted or blown over; and structures can sustain considerable damage.
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Storm Force (64 – 75 mph) - Widespread damages to buildings and larger trees can be uprooted.
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Hurricane Force (over 75 mph) - Roofs can be entirely blown away, RV’s and mobile homes overturned, windows broken, and other severe damages occur.