Hailstorms can be swift and destructive, damaging buildings, outdoor equipment and vehicles in a matter of minutes. For commercial property owners, hail damage can result in destroyed property, costly repairs, business disruptions and lost revenue.
Potential Risks
Data analytics firm Verisk’s 2021 Hail Hazard and Its Impact on Property Insurance report found that 6.2 million properties in the United States experienced one or more damaging hail events in 2020, resulting in almost $14.2 billion in losses. Businesses located in areas that experience hailstorms may be susceptible to severe damage to equipment and components, including:
- Roofs
- Windows
- Rooftop heating; ventilation and air conditioning equipment
- Cooling towers
- Exposed glass and plastic components of outdoor equiment
- Vehicles
Repairing a building damaged by hail can cost a lot of time and money. Severe building damage can even result in business disruptions—such as shutdowns or limited operations—that lead to a loss of revenue or harm a business’s reputation among stakeholders and customers.
Preventative Measures
To limit the potential damage of hailstorms, commercial property owners should be proactive in protecting their buildings. They can take the following measures to protect their properties:
- Conduct regular roof inspections. Be sure to replace any worn or weak areas, as their condition may be made worse from a hailstorm. Installing “severe hail” or “Class 4” impact-resistant roof materials can also limit the amount of damage done by hail.
- Utilize rooftop equipment and protections designed to withstand hail. Install hail guards, shields and wire mesh to keep rooftop equipment safeguarded from hail.
- Install windows with impact-resistant glass. Protect windows against hail by using impact-resistant glass, which is less likely to shatter than regular glass.
- Watch the weather. Be aware of the local forecast so valuables and equipment can be moved to safe locations before severe weather hits.
By taking the time to implement preventive measures, commercial property owners can reduce the impact of hailstorms on their buildings. For more ways to help prevent commercial property damage, contact INSURICA today.
This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Group Health Premiums on the Rise: What Employers Need to Know
In 2025, rising group health premiums are becoming a central concern for employers. Carriers like UnitedHealth, Anthem, and CVS Health have issued projections showing significant cost increases—driven by escalating claims severity, specialty drug costs, and continued labor shortages across provider networks.
SECURE 2.0 Implementation: A New Era in Retirement Planning
The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022 and now in active rollout through 2025, is reshaping the landscape of workplace retirement planning. Designed to expand access, modernize plan design, and improve financial preparedness, the law introduces over 90 new provisions—many of which are now surfacing in HR departments across the country.
Visitor Check-In and Access Control Best Practices
Visitor check-in and access control best practices are essential for ensuring campus safety. With increasing security concerns in schools, implementing visitor check-in and access control best practices helps minimize unauthorized access, protect students and staff, and ensure a safe learning environment.