In the wake of the devastating $2.8 billion hailstorm that struck Calgary on August 5, 2024, homeowners are grappling with numerous questions about damage assessment, insurance claims, and repairs. At CPR Group, our experts are addressing these key concerns that we consistently receive from affected residents. From immediate actions to long-term solutions, we’re here to guide you through the complex process of recovery and help you make informed decisions to protect your home against future hail storms.
How do I assess the full extent of hail damage to my property, and what should I document for insurance purposes? What pitfalls should I be aware of?
As soon as u realize that there has been damage to your property from hail storm, first call your insurance company and:
- Open a claim.
- Write down the claim number and policy number and name of adjuster and the date that the hail storm happened.
- Make sure that the contractor assigned by your insurance captures all the damage so that a claim can be started and processed for the compensation.
- It does take time with the amount of hail storm damage.
There is an influx of phone calls so it can take time but eventually they get through and contractors get assigned to you. Avoid contractors that come at the door at unannounced timelines and check if they have business license with the City of Calgary and liability, WCB insurance.
What are the immediate steps I should take to prevent further damage to my home after the hailstorm?
After you open a claim, you check for anything that can be a imminent threat to your well-being like a window with shattered glass, your insurance company will assign a vendor to look into it for emergency roof repairs or you can call a qualified contractor to mitigate the damages temporarily.
Once, your situation is stabilized, you have to make sure to document any damage on your content (BBQ, flower pots, etc.) or property (railing, deck, siding, roof, gutters, etc.).
Would not recommend home owners to go to the room without any experience and let the professionals handle it. Make sure your driveway and deck is clean of debris.
Are there any Calgary-specific building codes or regulations I need to be aware of when repairing hail damage?
Everything that gets repaired because of hail damage is up to the code.
There is an Alberta building code and guidelines from Alberta Roofing Contractors Association (AARA) mainly for contractors and manufactures specifications are also there but the customer need not know about them.
How do I choose a reputable contractor for repairs, and what questions should I ask them?
You can contact the Alberta Allied Roofing Association(AARA) have qualified contractors listed there that can assist with services like damage inspection.
What are the pros and cons of repairing versus replacing hail-damaged exteriors, particularly for roofing and siding?
When you replace a full roof, you are putting a new product from under lament to the roof shingles and accessories, therefore the manufacturing warranty and labour warranty on the product is much longer.
If you go with just repairing a certain portion of the roof, the warranty will only be maximum for a couple of years but many contractors don’t offer a warranty as such. Most hail damage is directional so a lot of hail damage might me on just one or two elevations of the siding. Roofs and eaves will get hit regardless on all slopes or respectively, linear footage.
Majority of the times, repairs cost less than replacements unless and until the roof is very old.
There are direct damage repairs and full damage repairs depending on the policy you have. There could arise some challenges while matching the profile of the siding and the colour. If a home owner wants to replace the siding damage, if its within years since the last installation of the damaged material, chances are you will be able to a similar product.
If the contractor cannot find that perfect match then, the contractors will do the closest math possible which could hinder the resell value of the house. This issue arises more regarding siding as it gets discontinued on a regular basis. As per the roof and soft metals, not as much.
How can I make my home more resilient to future hailstorms, and are there any incentives for hail-resistant upgrades?
There is the Green Home incentives by Government of Canada as well as different insurance companies offer different incentives to move to a more resilient product such as Class 4 impact resistant shingles which helps with preventing severe hail damage, fiber cement material which is more resistant than vynil, traditional stucco and PVC products also are more resistant than vynil siding.
Keep in mind that the cost of upgrade could double up the price, but it decreases the chances of making more claims in future hail storms and increase your chances to decrease your monthly home insurance premium.
But you should definitely ask your insurance on whether they might cover a Class 4 roof upgrade. If you’re not asking this question, you might be missing out.
What are the typical timelines for repairs given the widespread damage in Calgary, and how can I prepare for potential delays?
After getting the contractors and deciding on the product, colours and any upgrades, the contractor had to do his due diligence that the damaged part can withstand the winter and take care of any immediate threats to safety. Rest of the repairs, due to the large influx of claims might have to wait.
We serve customers on a first come first serve basis and priorities repairs such as broken skylights or windows which need to be repaired first.
We do not want to compromise on the quality and standards of workmanship so we attend every house with the same attention to detail there fore each project might take some time. We would recommend to keep in touch with your contractors and check up your situations.
How might this hail event affect my property value and future insurance premiums?
Regardless of if the hail storm claims are being made or not, the insurance premium will go higher every year in the city and Calgary being prone to hail storms, it can’t be avoided. The premiums also depend on the clients and their insurance histories.
The property value will not be affected as long as the damaged parts are being replaced, repaired and inspected properly.
What options do I have if my insurance coverage is insufficient to bring my property back to its pre-hailstorm condition?
A homeowner in such a case would have to self-finance or work with a contractor who offer finances like we do, come up to a payment plan for the balances and their deductible and change their coverage going forward because hail will occur again in Calgary, and it makes much more sense financially in the long-run.
They could also go about investing in some more durable products and look for the incentives offered by the insurance companies for coverage which cover their property. Avoid insurance that depreciate your roofing and sometimes siding as they are the major cost.
