Plumb Safety: Wind and Hail Claims: Keeping Businesses Upright in Heavy Weather

Lumber businesses face many exposures on a regular basis, but one that continues to grow as we see more severe weather is wind and hail. Wind and hailstorms can threaten the safety of customers, staff members and the business at large, but proper preparation can mitigate that risk.  

Year over year, PLM has experienced a roughly 200% jump in wind and hail claims. While more wind and hail claims were reported across the country, Texas, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois topped the list.  

So, what does a wind or hail loss look like? This past winter we had lumber facilities in Missouri and Illinois sustain wind damages from a single storm. While it is unusual for a single storm to cause damage that far apart, debris from this severe weather event ravaged the structures, including the roofs. On top of the damage sustained, delays in repairing the building led to downtime and business interruption and overlooked roof maintenance on the part of the client added to the repairs.  

Fortunately, producers can recommend risk mitigation tips to their lumber facility clients to shore up their wind and hail safety. Here are a few best practices to consider: 

• Preventative Maintenance: Your lumber clients should have a preventative maintenance program in place for their roofs. They should conduct seasonal inspections to clean debris and make small repairs before they become significant. They also should trim trees and branches as well to avoid additional debris in a windstorm. This regular maintenance should also be documented to ensure clients are taking the best safety practices. After storms, take another look at the roof to ensure everything is in order.  
• Secure Loose items: Materials that are loosely stored could become debris that hammers your building. Have owners and operators secure loose items so if these items are uprooted, they do not strike key infrastructure.  
• Build a Safety Program: Recommend a roof access control and safety measure program so only trained employees can access the roof. These employees should be regularly trained on proper roof safety measures.  
• Work with Your Insurer: Have the insurer inspect your clients’ properties regularly to confirm they have no additional wind or hail exposures and that they have the comprehensive coverage they need.  

Get prepared early and reach out to your clients now to confirm their business is safe throughout this year. Consider partnering with an expert in the field like PLM to secure a comprehensive risk assessment and learn valuable best practices to help your clients protect their operations. For more information, please visit PLM’s latest loss control guide on wind and hail safety. 

For more information, please visit PLM’s latest loss control guide on wind and hail safety.