What to do After a Hailstorm

Unfortunately, hailstorms occur all over the country throughout most of the spring and summer seasons and can cause damage to your property.  After a hailstorm hits, MAX members typically ask if they need to file a claim and inquire about the necessary steps to file a claim.  Here are a few helpful steps if your home sustains damage after a hailstorm:

  1. Please be sure to make note of the day and time of the hailstorm to correctly report to us.
  2. After the storm has passed and there is no risk, you can inspect your dwelling for damage, including roof, gutters, air conditioning unit, window screens ,etc. We recommend that you do not climb on your roof if is steep and dangerous.   Also, check for any interior water leaking in any of your interior rooms.
  3. If you have any broken windows or interior water damage, contact a contractor to complete temporary repairs and keep the invoice to submit for our review.
  4. You may wish to have a local, licensed contractor inspect your property and give you an estimate to determine if the repairs will exceed your deductible. Many policies have a 1% wind/hail deductible.
  5. You can file a claim by calling your agent and he/she will submit the claim to us. If you don’t have a local agent or his/her office is closed, you can call us direct at  877-971-6300 and we will file your claim.
  6. Once your claim has been filed, one of our adjusters will contact you to discuss your claim and answer any questions.

If you have any questions, please contact your MAX agent or give us a call at 877-971-6300 and we are happy to help!

Photo by Care_SMC

Spring Maintenance Tips

Although it may not always feel like spring lately, it is sure to come any day now.  We would like to take a moment to share some spring maintenance tips for your home:

  • Clean out your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are not filled with leaves and debris.
  • Ensure that water drainage is moving away from your home when it comes out of the gutter. You can add an extension to the gutter to make sure the water drains away from your home.
  • Purchase a battery backup for your sump pump. Springtime is also storm season and power outages can happen this time of year.  If your sump pump fails, water can collect in your basement.
  • Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

It’s not always easy to remember when we should do home maintenance.  If you prefer an automated home maintenance schedule, check out HomeZada.com where you can sign up for email reminders and online alerts.  Have a wonderful spring!

Spring Storm Season

Spring is here and with it comes storm season.  What does that mean for MAX members?  Storms can bring large amounts of water near your home in short periods of time.  In addition, strong winds can cause damage to your property.  Here are some helpful tips on items to check around your house during storm season:

  • Ensure water drainage is moving away from your home. The ground should be sloping downward, away from your foundation and basement.
  • Check your gutters. Make sure they are not clogged with leaves.  In addition, ensure that water is directed away from your home when it comes out of the gutter.  Add an extension at the bottom of your gutter if need-be.
  • Have a battery back-up for your sump pump. Power outages can come with spring storms.  If your sump pump isn’t turned on due to a power outage and you do not have a battery back-up, water can collect in your basement.
  • Install surge protectors on your electronics. Lightning and power surges can also happen during storms.  Why not protect your expensive electronics with a surge protector?

Do you have questions about protecting your home during spring storm season?  Has it been a while (over a year) since you updated your home insurance policy? Contact your MAX Agent today and he/she would be happy to assist you with your policy.