Jim Fair
Ron Acker, an Allstate insurance agent in Greer, epitomizes most of the upstate agents servicing their clients who obtained vehicle and damage to their homes in last week's hair storm.
Don Coggins tweeted a warning.
Acker, an Allstate Insurance agent in Greer, didn’t expect to have such a busy Tuesday night. “People are very industrious,” Acker said. “The first wave of calls came in Tuesday evening on my cell phone. The phone calls haven’t stopped.”
Sugar Creek, Pelham and parts of Greer, including a swath of Trade Street, was hardest hit in the area with other pockets of the Upstate seeing hail damage. Signs of roofing companies, some known, others not so much, are scattered throughout the Sugar Creek community.
Acker’s tip for handling claims for roof damage is, “get a good roofing company to give an inspection, and then have the insurance adjustor with the roofer at the same time. Roofers will be able to point out specific damage to adjustors. Then file a claim.”
Acker noted that adjustors may not be experienced on roof damage but having the professional roofer onsite can better serve customers.
“Residents should also have awnings and gutters checked for hail damage,” Acker said.
Insurers should know their comprehensive deductibles. “The average is $500 and it can go up from there,” he said.
Vehicles with damage will be guided toward “pro shops” Allstate and other insurance agencies have with local automobile repair shops. “If you use one of our recommended pro shops we know the repairs will be handled with one hundred percent customer guarantee,” Acker said.
Windshields damaged by hail are replaced free, per South Carolina law. Acker referred to Allstate’s checklist for hailstorm damage:
• Look for dents, cracks or breaks on windows, screens, doors and even patio furniture.
• Examine outdoor appliances like air conditioning units, and look for dents or excessive water intake.
• Check trees and shrubs. If they’re stripped of foliage, there’s a possibility your roof might be damaged.
• Inspect your vehicle(s) for cracked or broken glass, or dents caused by hail.