Insurance agent offers advice for protecting home, car from hail damage

July 19, 2010 - PRLog -- (Rapid City, SD) Hailstorms cause nearly $1 billion in damage each year, destroying crops, cars, and homes. The majority of these storms hit the Midwest during the summer months, forcing property and car owners to handle the repairs. State Farm insurance agent Matt McCormick urges owners to take precautions against future hail damage.  

“The first line of defense to protect your car from hail is parking indoors,” McCormick said. “But that’s not always an option for most people, so I recommend purchasing comprehensive auto insurance, which covers hail, floods, fires, and other non-collision situations.”

Although home insurance policies vary by carrier, most will cover hail damage to a home. In areas where hailstorms are more prevalent, such as the Great Plains, homes may require roof replacement more frequently due to increased exposure. This contributes to rising premiums and more out-of-pocket costs for homeowners.  

To combat these rising expenses, McCormick suggests considering impact-resistant roofing. While it’s more expensive than traditional roofing materials, impact-resistant roofing may help homeowners save money in the long run. In addition to minimizing damage from hailstorms, many insurance companies offer discounts on home insurance premiums for installing impact-resistant roofing.

“The cost of installing an impact-resistant roof may be more than traditional roofing materials,” the Rapid City State Farm agent said. “However, the money you save on your homeowners insurance premiums, over time, will more than offset this added expense.  And from a practical standpoint, you will at least save the time and energy it takes to research and coordinate the replacement of your roof during the time of year that you would rather be outside enjoying the summer weather.”

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About Matt McCormick
A Rapid City-based State Farm insurance agent, Matt McCormick offers a full line of banking and insurance products, with resources to help you meet your financial goals. For more information or to request free quotes, call 1-866-348-0464 or visit http://www.mccormickagency.net.