The number of hail claims increased by nearly 45,000 from 2021. However, inflation and supply chain issues occurring across the country is also responsible for the overall increase. To put it in more relative terms, the average claim increased by nearly $2,000 last year. That is the largest year-over-year increase to date.     
 

Top 10 States for Hail Claims in 2022

What can homeowners do to prepare?

“The best thing to do right now, before spring storm season, is to call your State Farm agent and conduct an annual review of your coverage,” said Gina Wilken, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist. “Because of inflation and supply chain issues, some homeowners are seeing a deficit in replacement costs versus levels covered in the insurance policy. After a catastrophe is not the time for homeowners to find out they are not covered to meet their needs.”    
 

Even if you aren’t in a top 10 state, preparation is key.

After talking with your State Farm agent, update your home inventory, and take photos or videos of everything in your home. This not only speeds up the claims process but can trigger your memory when filing a claim. If a storm is on the way, review your emergency plan with all members of the house, have an emergency bag with essentials, pull your vehicles into a covered space or garage, close your blinds and curtains, and stay away from windows.     
 

After the storm, recovery can begin.

Once the storm passes and it is safe to do so, begin to look for damage around your home and take photos. Look for shingles in your yard, water stains on your highest ceiling, and damages to downspouts and gutters and document with photos. Begin to make temporary repairs to roofs with tarps or boarding up broken windows and keep receipts to file for reimbursement. Start to file your claim with your agent or 1800SFCLAIM, at statefarm.com, or on the State Farm mobile app.    
 

Beware of door-to-door contractors.

Unfortunately, after a catastrophe there is an influx of storm chasing contractors who begin knocking on doors nearly immediately after the storm passes. Use caution in hiring a contractor and be wary of the out of state door-to-door contractors. Local contractors with deep community roots are the best to use because if something goes wrong with the work, you know where to find them and get it fixed. Ask neighbors for referrals and get multiple estimates in writing. Look over the estimates for quantity of materials, labor charges, starting and completion dates. Never sign your insurance check over to a contractor.

Like millions of Americans, Jaimi dreamed of being a homeowner. Fortunately for this Atlanta- area single mom, she found the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) which is supported by State Farm.

Jaimi, the ever-protective mother, surveyed the new neighborhood before she purchased the home from ANDP. She spoke with several neighbors to make sure her family would feel safe and happy in their new suburban community. She purchased the home with down payment assistance from ANDP making the payments more affordable.

“I pay less with my mortgage payment than most pay for rent,” Jaimi says. “But I’m most happy about the healthier environment for my children.”

The proud first-time homeowner can finally breathe a mold-free sigh of relief.

Vet gets the assist he needs

Chad O’Brien, a U.S Army vet, was deployed twice to Iraq in his five years of service. Now stateside, he wanted to provide a stable home for his two young daughters. But to afford the payments, he had to take side jobs in addition to his new career in local government. This took him away from his children.

“It was a win-lose situation, and after his service to his country, he deserved a win-win!” shared John O’Callaghan, President & CEO of ANDP.

Chad was able to purchase a home with the help of ANDP’s Veterans Affordable Home Purchase Program. He now has a mortgage payment $300 a month less than his previous rent payment. The savings means no more side jobs and a shorter commute. But even more important, this means more time with his little girls. Chad got his win-win!

Neighborhoods changing dramatically

Tracey Smith looked around her neighborhood and was scared. “My neighbors and I were worried about vandalism and squatting and how that could impact our home values,” says Tracey, a homeowner in a development that was foreclosed on before the community was complete. “Our home values were already falling because of the foreclosure crisis.”

“But then ANDP bought the available homes and helped homebuyers with down payment assistance,” shared Tracey. “It really changed our neighborhood outlook. We’re creating a sense of community, a sense of family and we look out for one another.”

Since 2007, ANDP has shifted all organizational programs to focus on neighborhood and homeowner recovery. 525 single-family homes and apartment units have been saved because of the ANDP foreclosure redevelopment program.

In the case of Douglas County, a suburban area of Atlanta, the impact was significant. ANDP conducted a study on the impact of its acquisition, rehab and repopulation of 53 homes in the county. The study showed an investment of $2.3 million in rehab of 53 homes. This investment resulted in a $14.6 million increase in values for surrounding properties.

Tracey’s neighborhood, in Douglas County, is now completely full. Empty lots have been developed and empty homes have been purchased. She looks around at her neighborhood and is full of pride.

*Homeowner’s last names have been changed to protect their privacy. 

You might also find interesting:

• From Peaceful Protest to Enduring Relationship
• One Home at a Time
• When Opportunity Knocks, LISC Helps You Answer