Tornado Damage Insurance Claim

The United States is home to more tornadoes than any other country. Around 1,200 tornadoes are recorded in the United States each year. They kill an average of 60 people and injure 1,500.

Although the technology for forecasting tornadoes has improved, it’s still difficult to predict when and where one will strike. A storm can quickly appear and vanish in a matter of minutes, leaving behind a trail that causes destruction and property owners with the responsibility to repair or replace their homes or businesses.

Owners who have suffered tornado damage should know that insurance will cover the cost of their losses. Unlike other natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, tornadoes are not covered by a basic homeowners policy or commercial property insurance. However, insurance companies can deny or underpay tornado claims. A denial may contain a lengthy, technical explanation that seems legitimate but could be false.

We can assist you if your insurance company denies or underpays your claim. Our lawyers will review the decision letter of your insurance company and inform you if there is a basis for appeal. Get in touch with us to get started.

There have been several severe tornadoes in the United States in the past few years. The costliest tornado on record, in terms of insured losses, occurred in April 2011 in Tuscaloosa-Birmingham, Alabama, according to the Insurance Information Institute, causing $7.7 billion in damages. A month later, Joplin, Missouri, was hit by a similar storm, which resulted in $72 billion of insured losses.

The damage determines the intensity of a tornado it causes to buildings. This scale uses the enhanced Fujita(EF) scale, which rates tornadoes as F0 (light damage; winds 40-72 mph), F5 (very severe damage; 261-318 mph winds), and F0 (hefty damage). Although the Joplin and Tuscaloosa storms were classified as F-4 and F-5, respectively, weaker tornadoes can cause damage to single-family homes with winds of up to 200 mph.

• F0: Sign boards and chimneys are in fair condition.
• F1: Mobile homes overturned; roof surfaces removed.
• F2: Mobile homes and roofs are torn off buildings.
• F3: Buildings torn down by ceilings and walls.
• F4: Some structures were blown away, and buildings were leveled.
• F5: Homes leveled, swept away

Increased Tornado Losses

According to Lloyd’s of London, the number of annual tornado losses and tornadoes is on the rise. Lloyd’s of London doesn’t attribute the increase in tornadoes to an increase in tornado deaths but to urbanization (which means more tornado-prone structures, people, and homes) and better tracking and reporting.

USA Today reports that tornadoes and other severe storms have caused $10 billion in property damage annually between 2008 and 2015. Before that time, insured losses from tornadoes and thunderstorms never exceeded $10 million.

Over half of all-natural disaster losses, including property and vehicle losses, have occurred since 1990 due to severe thunderstorms or tornadoes.

Common Tornado Losses

A tornado’s powerful force can make an area look like a war zone. There will be debris fields, overturned cars and buildings, smoke billowing from the sky, and damaged structures. This type of destruction is not unusual, but many tornadoes can cause more damage than a strong storm, leaving the property needing repair but not a total loss. The following are some common forms of tornado damage:

• Roof and siding: Missing or damaged roofing shingles, dents and chips, roof decking pieces torn away, gables detachment, roof blown off, or displaced.
• Interior walls and floors: cracking, bowing, separation from roof surfaces or blown out; floor cupping, water damage.
• Frame: Broken, bent, or twisted framing; welds broken on beams and Trusses
• Foundation: Cracking or separation caused by uplift
• Windows and gutters: Flying debris can break windows, and damage screens, panes, and shutters; gutters may be dented or torn.
• Exterior: Damage to garage doors, fences, landscaping, chimney, roof vents, and chimney.

Tornadoes can also cause damage to the electrical and plumbing systems of a property and gas leaks.

What does my insurance cover?

Standard homeowners and business property insurance policies should cover damage from tornadoes to your home and any items within it. This policy covers wind and hail, rain, and lightning damage. Temporary lodging should also be covered if your home is damaged beyond repair.

The insured must know that insurance companies are required to cover the cost of replacing a damaged roof or building regardless of age. Age is not usually considered depreciable.

Insurance might cover roof replacements and repairs even if your building or home did not suffer severe damage. Tornadoes can cause damage that is subtle but still significant. Sealant strips are used to bind roof components together. High winds can easily break these strips, and you might not be aware of it. Tornado winds can also cause damage to fastening components like nails, clips, and joints.

Your property should be thoroughly checked for tornado damage. It could lead to costly repairs down the line if you fail to spot less obvious tornado damage.

These and other lesser-known but severe tornado damage are essential, so your insurance adjuster can investigate them.

How to Respond to a Tornado

Safety is your priority after a tornado strikes. After the storm passes, assume your property is safe and take steps to minimize damage. You should immediately contact your insurance company. The policyholder is responsible for preventing further property damage. If it is safe, this includes taking the following actions:

• If there is a leak, turn off the gas and water.
• Temporary repairs such as covering cracks in the roof or replacing broken windows can be done to stop further water damage.
• Transfer wet items to dry locations
• Drying and washing items
• Document all damage to your possessions and property. Take photos and videos, make lists, and keep receipts. Don’t throw away anything.

While it’s OK to plan permanent repairs as soon as possible, most insurance companies require that you assess the damage before any work is started.

Get a free review of your claim denial.

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