Protect your home from hail damage
In Australia, wild weather is a part of life. It seems like it’s getting wilder every year, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent extensive damage to your home from events like hail.
Check whether you’re covered
Despite your best efforts, hail can still damage your home. Check your home insurance policy and make sure your policy covers damage caused by hail, and that your sum insured is enough to repair or rebuild your home if you need to.
While hailstorms can occur at any time of year, they’re usually more frequent over spring and summer in Australia.
If you’re shopping around for home insurance, AAMI may have the cover you’re after!
How to minimise hail damage to your home
What to do at the beginning of storm season
Protect your skylight
A skylight is a great way to brighten up your home, but they can be damaged by severe hail. Consider installing a skylight safety screen to add an extra layer of protection.
Cover your garden
Green thumbs know the panic of seeing hailstones pummel their garden – especially when plants are sprouting. Netting, or objects like baskets, tarps or pots, can help to protect them. You can also add extra soil to your plants to help keep them standing upright.
Defend your doors and windows
Glass doors and windows can be damaged by hail stones. The solution – shutters! They can prevent damage and act as an added layer of security. There are lots of shutter add-ons that roll down or slide over windows or glass sliding doors.
Consider toughened glass windows
You’re not always going to be home when a hailstorm hits – so even if you do have shutters, you may not be able to close them in time. That’s why it may be worthwhile to take your window protection a step further by installing toughened glass windows. Toughened glass can be stronger than tempered glass.
Check your roof for any weak spots
Damaged or missing roof tiles can make your roof more prone to damage from hailstones. Look in your roof cavity or attic for any light shining through – this could be a sign of damage. Or get a roofer to inspect your roof for any damage or potential weak points, then act accordingly.
Do a bit of outdoor maintenance
Even outside of hail season, it can help to trim overhanging branches, clean your gutter and clear your down pipes every few months. Doing this may prevent drains from clogging, which can lead to flooding when heavy rain accompanies hail.
What to do if a hailstorm is imminent
Close your curtains
Even if your windows are damaged by hailstones, having your curtains drawn may keep shards of broken glass out of your home. They may also make it easier to safely clean the broken shards.
Put loose outdoor items inside
When a hailstorm is forecast, you’d understandably move your car out of harm’s way. But what about things like an outdoor umbrella or gazebo? If you’d rather not find out what could happen to these items during a storm, consider moving anything that could be damaged by hail into a shed or garage.
Read more:
- How to protect your car from hail damage
- What to do when you make a claim
- How to claim for storm damage to your home
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement befor buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
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