Along with the wonderful floral scents, warmer weather and renewed positive outlook, spring also brings with it a few treacherous hailstorms – hailstorms that can wreak havoc and cause terrible damage to your home and vehicle. It is because of this that reliable home and car insurance is essential.
Who remembers the freak hailstorm that hit Pietermaritzburg earlier this year?
Can you imagine the costs associated with repairing the damage caused had most of these Pietermaritzburg residents not had car or home insurance?
Aside from getting your hands on a reliable insurance policy, there are a few precautions that you can take in order to minimise the damage caused by the impending hailstorms. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Your Vehicle:
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast. If the forecast indicates that a storm is imminent, plan ahead so that you have a safe, sheltered place in which to park your car.
- If you are driving when a nasty hailstorm hits, try to navigate your way towards any type of shelter that you can find – bridges and underground parking bays are great options. If, however, you cannot find any shelter, stop your vehicle. The damage can be a lot worse if the hail stones hit your vehicle whilst it is still in motion.
Your Home:
- Have your roof inspected regularly. While massive hail stones will undoubtedly cause damage to your property regardless, damage from milder hailstorms can be easily prevented by ensuring that your roof is in good, sturdy condition. By checking for weak spots or weathered tiles, and fixing / replacing them wherever appropriate, you will be sure to prevent any possible damage by the time the rainy season hits.
- If your home is damaged in any way, ensure that it is repaired as fast as possible by notifying your insurance provider immediately. If the damage is not repaired and another hailstorm hits, the damage can escalate and may cause further issues.
By taking precautions, you will be able to minimise, and perhaps completely avoid, any hail damage to your home or vehicle. However, sometimes the damage is inevitable – which is why you need home and car insurance as a backup. For peace of mind, contact OUTsurance today for a tailored, no-obligations quote. With OUTsurance, you always get something out.