Many Texans are looking excitedly to Spring after a turbulent wintery patch in February that brought damaging conditions and impacted all 254 Texas counties. The word spring generally evokes pleasant imagery of budding flowers, sunny days, and gentle rain showers. Realistically, the meteorological spring brings hail season along with it, and an uptick in hail damage claims.
Common Claims
Hailstones can range in size from a minuscule pellet to a grapefruit-sized chunk of ice. Regardless of the hail’s size, it can cause significant damage to property. That’s why many Texas insurance policyholders have hail damage insurance coverage for their homes, vehicles, crops, and livestock. It’s common for policyholders to file claims for damaged roofs, dented cars, broken windows, and decimated crops. There’s no shortage of hail damage claims during the spring, and it’s a busy time of year for insurance adjusters who are eager to get out in the field.
Hail Storm Weather Conditions
Northern Texas frequently has the perfect weather conditions to foster hail storms. Hail is possible during any thunderstorm, especially when the atmosphere is full of moisture. In Texas, that moisture comes from the Gulf Coast. Spring hail storms are more likely to occur when the temperature fluctuates a lot and the conditions quickly alternate between wet and dry.
This weather phenomenon occurs when the height of the cumulonimbus clouds aka the thunderheads are taller than the freezing point. When this happens the clouds produce an updraft. The updraft then produces hail. The longer the precipitation is suspended in the air, the larger the hailstones will be upon impact.
Inspection Process
Once you’re assigned a case, you’ll travel to the damaged property to begin your investigation. You’ll be responsible for determining if the insured property has sustained enough damage to warrant the insurance company paying for a replacement or repair. You will inspect all surfaces and mark the points of impact, before sending your findings to the insurance company. Then, the insurance provider will be responsible for approving or denying the client’s claim. Oftentimes, for home hail damage claims the policyholder’s contractor may be present to help their client and to ensure they get the largest payout possible. You should be prepared to work in conjunction with roofing contractors and pump the breaks when they overstep.
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2021 Training
The expert insurance adjusters at 2021 Training are dedicated to teaching the next generation of adjusters the practical skills they need to navigate the insurance industry. 2021 Training provides a convenient and accessible online learning platform so students can set their own schedules and stay within their budget. This means you can take as long as you need to complete the course. Or you can finish the course over a long weekend and take our licensing exam. The licensing exam is approved by the Texas Department of Insurance. After you pass, you’ll have everything you need to apply for your Texas Insurance Adjusters License. If you’re ready to start on this exciting career path and start closing out hail damage claims fast, visit our website to sign up for one of our comprehensive courses.
How Insurance Adjusters Can Prepare for the Texas Storm Season
April is fast approaching and that means the blistering Texas heat and relentless sunshine will make a reappearance soon. The warm weather may be welcome after the frigid cold that shocked the state in February. Regardless, it’s important to recognize that when the warm weather arrives so do potentially extreme weather conditions like droughts, thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes (for cities along the coast). In fact, extreme weather events like Winter Storm Uri will only become more frequent and intense as the planet responds to human activity and emissions.
As a result, many Texans need insurance to prepare for the consequences of such extreme weather. Storms could potentially cause damage to people\’s homes, cars, and other property. Without the proper policies in place, the probability of an extreme weather event wreaking havoc on the economy is likely.
That’s where insurance agents, adjusters, and companies come in. Insurance provides the stability and security that is needed in times of chaos. Not only does this reduce stress for policyholders, but it allows them to continue navigating their life in a way that’s as close to normal as possible during troubling times. An insurance policy can offer peace of mind while dealing with damage.
Here are three ways to prepare for Texas weather in the coming months as an insurance adjuster:
Plan to Stay Busy
Mid-April through October marks the summer-like conditions of Texas weather. With that comes spring showers and nasty hurricanes that could throw the area into a frenzy. The best way to prepare as an insurance adjuster is to build out a calendar that leaves room for the business this season brings. Storms are a very real concern for property owners and insurance companies. That’s why insurance companies hire insurance adjusters to help investigate and process claims quickly.
You should also plan your workload and strategies to complete it before storm season hits. Figure out what you can do to save time and maximize efficiency. You will be busy and slammed with claims. So, it’s important to figure out a system to cover all of your bases that will help keep you in control.
Prepare to Travel
When some of these catastrophic weather events occur, it may become necessary to travel. As an insurance adjuster, you’ll need to evaluate policyholder claims. Then, you can help the insurance company determine if the policyholder qualifies for a payout. You will need a reliable form of transportation. You may need to travel near and far to investigate insurance claims. You should also keep a go-bag packed and ready to go during storm season so you can leave as soon as you’re deployed. The faster you\’re on location the quicker you can close out a claim and get paid.
Plug in to the news and technology developments
Finally, staying updated on what’s happening around you is paramount. This is true all the time, but especially during the Texas storm season. Insurance adjusters must be ready to respond to what’s happening in their community with stability and the reassurance of security. The way to do that is by staying current on Texas news and events.
