In the midst of powerful thunderstorms, many Americans are familiar with the sharp, telltale plinks of oncoming hail pelting the roof. Most of the time, hail stones never develop larger than pea-sized pellets, but paired with high velocity and variable winds, these small stones can do more damage than it may seem.
Falling at speeds up to 90 miles per hour and the largest recorded hailstone coming in at 22 pounds, it's tough to feel completely prepared for hailstorms. This unpredictability puts home insurance agencies in a difficult position; damage is difficult to detect, the severity and “typical” damage following hail storms varies, and filed claims may take months to resolve. Regardless, 2017 shaped up to be one of the worst years for hail damage in the United States amassing to a cost of $1.7 billion and affecting 11 million properties. Individuals and insurance providers alike need reliable tools to both quickly calculate risk and assess damage – AI and IoT are stepping up to help.
Today, weatherproofing our homes moves beyond just seasonal roof inspections. As we turn to tech to keep our homes and family safe, we can begin to mitigate damage from heavy storms, cut costs on repairs, and be prepared for whatever weather comes next.
Infographic Courtesy of Weathercheck https://weathercheck.co/hail-no-protecting-your-properties-from-hail-damage/
