Whether dropped on your vehilcle, home or head, hail is not to be taken lightly. According to reports, hail accounts for 42% of all comprehensive auto claims during April, May and June. For the Scottsbluff area, August may end up taking the crown in 2019.

Now that the storm has moved on, do you know what to do during the aftermath? JGE associate Luray Neuwirth provides some helpful tips:

– Be safe. Inspect your home and vehicles to determine the extent of the damage. Be careful of any broken glass or unsafe conditions.

 – Take photos of everything. Whether it’s your home or vehicle, make sure you document the damage with plenty of photos.  This includes photos of hail covering the ground, the size of the hail stones, damages to outdoor appliances such as air conditioner units, damages to the roof, trees, plants, windows and vehicles. Your insurance company may or may not ask for photos so it’s always good to have them ready.

 – Focus on a leaking roof or broken window first by contacting a contractor to help or create a quick fix on your own.

 – Contact your insurance agent and file a claim.

 – Be patient. When a big storm hits, entire communities can be overrun with extensive damage creating a bottleneck for those trying to get their property fixed. Your insurance agent is working hard on filing claims and working with storm adjusters. An insurance agent receiving hundreds of calls a day is standard after a storm, so once you’ve talked with your agent, it may take up to 30 days before your home or vehicle is next on the list.