One of the main perils in every homeowners or commercial property policy is damage from “Wind”. Straight-line wind damage can be devastating to your property whether it blows branches and limbs onto your roof or rips off your siding. One of our most memorable claims was a roof that was completely ripped off a home…not by a tornado but just due to very strong winds. There isnt much we can do about mother nature or wind however we can take steps to protect our property from falling prey to wind damage.
Taking a good look at the trees on your property is a good start. Over the winter the weight of ice and snow may have damaged large limbs and that could be enough to allow a gust to detach it. There are many tree or limb removal companies in the area who can assist you with cleaning up these dead limbs. One tip when dealing with Tree Removal operations is to verify they have active insurance. Do NOT take the piece of paper they show you as proof of “active coverage” call the agent listed and verify their policy is in-force.
take a quick look at your siding. Is any of it loose or pulling out from the rest? A gap could allow wind a chance to do further damage. Do you have any attachments to your home that are loose or free? Antennas are less common these days but some people still have them, of course satellite dishes may come loose as well.
One final item is one I did not think about when i bought a trampoline for my children. Your trampoline is effectively a “sail” sitting next to your home. Wind will move that object and it will do it quickly. Purchase sandbags or tie-downs from your local hardware store…do not tie the trampoline to a tree or our house. It is also a great idea to check with your agent to see if trampolines are even covered by your home insurance company. There are many companies that do not mind trampolines so long as safety measures are in place but you don’t want to be in a situation where an accident or damage occurs and the claim is denied.
Spring is here, wind will happen. But we can all do our best to maintain our property ahead of time.
