Insuring Your Home
Eight ways to minimise hail damage to your home
A thunderstorm on the horizon can cause homeowners to worry about potential damage - especially if hail is forecast. While you can’t predict the weather, you can do a few things that may minimise the damage hail can do to your home.
How to minimise hail damage to your home
Before storm season starts
1. Protect your skylight
A skylight is a great way to brighten up your home, but they can be damaged by severe hail. Installing a skylight safety screen can add an extra layer of protection.
2. Shelter your garden
Netting, or objects like baskets, tarps or pots, can help to protect your prized garden from hail damage. You can also add extra soil to your plants to help keep them standing upright.
3. Defend your doors and windows
Glass doors and windows can be damaged by hail. For an extra layer of protection and added security, consider investing in shutters. There are lots of shutter add-ons that roll down or slide over windows or glass sliding doors.
4. Fit toughened glass windows
Toughened glass windows are stronger than tempered glass. While this isn’t a guarantee they won’t shatter, they are more durable. Speak to a glazier about installing this type of glass – especially if it’s in more vulnerable, exposed areas of your home.
5. Inspect your roof
Cracked or missing tiles can leave your roof more susceptible to hail damage. Check your roof cavity or attic for any signs of light coming through, as this may indicate a weak spot. Alternatively, have a professional roofer assess your roof for potential damage or areas of concern and address any issues promptly.
6. Keep up with outdoor maintenance
Even outside of hail season, it’s useful to regularly trim overhanging branches, clear out gutters, and check downpipes every few months. Doing so helps prevent blockages, which can cause flooding when heavy rain accompanies hail.
When a hailstorm is imminent
7. Close your curtains
Even if your windows are damaged by hailstones, having your curtains drawn may keep shards of broken glass out of your home. They can also make it easier to safely clean the broken shards.
8. Secure any loose outdoor items indoors
Unfixed outdoor items, such as chairs and umbrellas, can be damaged in a storm. They can even cause damage themselves if they’re thrown around by wind. Secure them in place or move them to an indoor area like a garage or shed.
While you’re at it, maybe consider updating your contents insurance cover to make sure you have sufficient coverage to repair or replace covered items damaged by hail.
Explore GIO Contents Insurance
Make sure you’re insured
Despite your best efforts, there may still be times when you need to make a claim. GIO Home Insurance provides cover provides cover for loss or damage to your home caused by a storm accompanied by hail. The extent of your cover depends on your sum insured and the nature of your policy, so check yours if you aren’t sure. You don’t want to find out your payout won’t cover all your repair needs if you ever need to make a claim.
- How much should you insure your home for?
- Does car insurance cover hail damage?
- What does GIO Home and Contents Insurance cover?
Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
