Matt Cook, HomeTeam Inspection Service’s Director of Business Development, explains how storm damage assessments protect the safety and value of a home over time.
Storms can cause significant damage to homes, and the consequences are not always immediately apparent. For homeowners, understanding the extent of storm damage is crucial for maintaining the safety, value and integrity of the property, and in many cases, it is also key to receiving the support necessary from an insurance policy. Like any home inspection, receiving a storm damage assessment from a neutral third party equips homeowners with the information they need to proceed in an informed manner.
“The storm damage assessments that we do are entirely independent of insurance companies for FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” said Matt Cook, Director of Business Development at HomeTeam Inspection Service. “Oftentimes, if there is a tornado, hurricane or other environmental disaster, homeowners are trusting their insurance company to come through for them. The insurance company sends out an adjuster to review the damage, but the insurance company’s goal is to make money — not give it away. Getting your own storm damage assessment allows you to have that neutral third-party perspective that is based solely on the facts.”
Cook said inspections, in this context, often follow more major weather events like tornadoes and hurricanes. During this process, a team of inspectors can look at entry doors, windows, exterior and interior walls, driveways, walkways, gutters, downspouts, decks, railings, fences and the roof — all areas of the home that are prone to damage from storms.
For homeowners looking to involve the insurance company in any repairs, a thorough inspection is important. Not only does it provide a neutral third-party perspective, it also creates space for a qualified inspector to evaluate the home for any less obvious damage that may have occurred.
“For example, if a storm knocks over a tree and that tree damages your fence, you may call the insurance adjustor to see how they can help with this repair,” Cook said. “But they’re not going to check your roof for any damage caused by high winds or smaller limbs and branches falling. There may be damage to the property that isn’t visible to the untrained eye, and missing it could lead to bigger issues later on.”
In today’s economy, this is an especially pertinent concern. The cost of home insurance has increased rapidly in recent years and homeowners should ensure that they are receiving the full scope of benefits they pay for.
“The average cost to insure a home grew by nearly 20% between 2021 and 2023,” Cook said. “For some people, the monthly cost of insurance is already 50% higher than it was in 2019, so it’s imperative for a homeowner who’s getting ready to have negotiations with their insurance company to get an inspection. For a few hundred dollars, they can get the information they need to ensure they get the coverage and payoffs that they’re owed.”
Rather than waiting for a major storm to cause visible damage before getting a home assessment, Cook says homeowners should consider making assessments a part of their regular home health routine. A single storm may not cause clear damage, but after a heavy storm season, minor damage that has occurred during each storm can quickly add up.
Keeping up with home maintenance requirements on a regular basis can benefit both the longevity of the home itself and provide homeowners extra protection as it relates to insurance claims. Some insurers will deny claims if they feel the home has not been properly cared for over time, and with regular home health check-ups, homeowners have the information they need to complete proper ongoing maintenance — as well as proof that they have engaged professionals to help with the process.
“In terms of storm damage assessments, whether you observe damage in your home or have just come to the end of a heavy storm season, we recommend you get an assessment at least once a year to review the current maintenance requirements and status of your home,” Cook said. “You don’t want to find out the hard way that minor damage left unaddressed has created a bigger issue or that your insurance company will not cover a very necessary claim due to other unaddressed concerns. A small annual investment like a storm damage assessment can have an incredible payoff.”
