State Farm: More than 6,600 total claims from late July hailstorm in northern Colorado

Aug. 09--State Farm has received an additional 3,390-plus total claims from the late July hailstorm that battered parts of northern Colorado.

State Farm spokeswoman Tamara Pachl said the July 30 hailstorm brought in more than 4,100 auto claims and about 1,500 homeowners claims in Weld County. Pachl said State Farm does not provide projections or estimates of the claims due to the unique nature of each storm.

To stay safe in a hailstorm and mitigate damages, State Farm offers a few tips to drivers and homeowners on its website. Residents should close all drapes, blinds and shades to prevent broken window glass and hailstones from entering their homes. Move away from the windows and, if possible, a level of the home that isn't directly below the roof. The tips go on to recommend drivers pull over, and turn their backs to the windows to protect from broken glass.

To prevent heavy damages, the website recommends strengthening your home's roof decking and shingles. Colorado is one of a select number of states where the use of certain impact-resistant roofing products can qualify homeowners for discounts on their insurance premiums. Read the list at https://bit.ly/2OYxi10.

Barb Pickett-Weber, marketing manager at ServPro of Greeley/Windsor, said homeowners should be careful about how they repair their roofs.

"We've been on several jobs through this hailstorm and what happens is the hail comes through and causes their roof to leak," Pickett-Weber said. "If it's not properly mitigated, they have a very high chance for mold."

At ServPro, crews can go beyond the roof to check moisture content readings for any wet drywall or other opportunities for mold. By properly drying out the damage, Pickett-Weber said, homeowners can avoid higher costs down the line.

"You don't want to get secondary damage by not drying it out appropriately because then you get ... mold and insurance won't cover it," she said.

Avoiding car damage in a hailstorm requires either luck or covered parking. Having both doesn't hurt. Nationwide car insurance provider Progressive shares a couple of other tips for reducing car damages on its website, starting with a recommendation to get covered parking.

Those without access to covered parking can find a temporary shelter and park it there, Progressive recommends. Without local parking garages, drivers can find large trees with healthy branches or, depending on the duration of the storm, go in for a car wash.

Hail car covers are available online, and range in price from about $100 to $400. Those with slimmer wallets can use their own blankets, Progressive recommends. Be sure to duct tape the blankets, otherwise high winds could blow them away. Progressive warns the tape can leave a sticky residue, but most likely won't damage the paint. For the sake of personal safety, only do this if it's well in advance of the storm.

-- Trevor Reid covers business news for The Tribune. Connect with Trevor at (970) 392-4492, treid@greeleytribune.com or on Twitter, @treid71.

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