Summer hail storms: Here’s what to do

Hail Damage Car Advice Home Advice Hail storm 3 min read 27 August 2014

Ensure you're covered with Santam

Call me back Find an intermediary

When it comes to hail storms, the good news is that if you have general insurance with Santam for buildings, your policy covers damage caused by hail stones. The same principle applies for motor vehicle insurance.

 

Summer hail storms: here's what to do

 

  • Weather-related events are by their very nature unpredictable. That's why we can't rule out the possibility of early summer hail storms
  • Hail storms are especially prevalent in the Highveld region, spreading through Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the North West all the way to the Northern Cape
  • When it comes to hail storms, staying indoors and keeping your car undercover offers the best form of protection against personal injury and vehicle damage
  • We've put together some useful advice and tips to help you reduce the damage to your car and home if you're caught in a hail storm

 

Protect your car

 

If you are driving and caught in the middle of a hail storm, reduce your speed and continue driving until you can find undercover parking. This is one of the quickest and most effective ways of protecting your vehicle against possible damage.

 

If you don't have immediate access to undercover parking, temporary shelter such as the undercover roof of a local mall, petrol station or even trees are other practical solutions to getting out of a hail storm safely.

 

Look after your home

 

Clear your gutters of leaves, twigs and other debris as often as possible. Hail takes a while to melt and an overflowing gutter could lead to a leaking roof and other damage.

 

When fitting your gutters, remember that quality matters. Better quality gutters are able to withstand increased water flow during heavy rainfall and hail storms.

 

Are you covered?

 

When it comes to hail storms, the good news is that if you have general insurance with Santam for buildings, your policy covers damage caused by hail stones. The same principle applies for motor vehicle insurance.

 

If you're unsure of whether you're covered for hail damage, contact your insurer today.

 

If you're a Santam client and you've been affected by a hail storm call our 24/7 SOS and claims line on 0860 505 911 for assistance.