How To Protect Industrial Properties Against Windstorms

Many industrial property owners may be shocked to find out that many commercial policies do not cover wind damage, especially if they did not adequately consider wording in insurance matters. Just a moderate windstorm is capable of causing hefty damage to industrial properties. Here, we list out factors you can consider to protect your industrial properties against wind storm damage.

Protecting Against Wind Storm Damage with Insurance

Industrial properties are particularly susceptible to wind storm damage because of their infrastructure. The large windows, high walls and flat roofs that are typical of these properties are liable to be smashed by objects that are thrown about during such storms, and fast-moving winds can easily peel roofs off. Once the inside of a structure is made vulnerable to the elements, owners then face the issue of losing potentially millions of dollars in inventory.

For these reasons, owners should evaluate their properties prior to selecting their insurance, so that they can select protection that is most suitable for them. Consider the following:

• Structural damage. Most damage caused by windstorms occurs on roofs. These include torn-off shingles, peeling of flashing along the vents, and destruction to HVAC systems and air-conditioning. After a storm, owners should thoroughly check their roofs to evaluate the damages, as undiscovered damage can cause more problems down the line.
• Electrical equipment. Industrial properties are often designed with expensive electronics or sensitive equipment. These can be ruined by the intrusion of wind and water that occurs during wind storms.
• Heavy machinery. Since industrial locations are often manufacturing sites, damages caused to them can also affect industrial ovens, golf carts, scissor lifts, drill presses, industrial ovens, and other specialized machinery.
• Goods at all stages of production are stored in warehouses. Some insurance policies only cover the loss of items that have been completed, and will not account for losses such as raw materials, parts kept in storage, or components pending installation.
• Indirect damage. While policies may cover direct damages, they might not necessarily include the damages caused in the aftermath of a storm. These include fires that occur due to gas leaks, damages incurred by vehicles surrounding the property caused by stray debris, or losses due to power outages.
• Business Interruption. Since warehouse operators do not usually rely on rental income or retail, they often suffer prolonged and severe income loss if they cannot fulfill their customer’s demands. Consider business income replacements that provide at least half a year’s worth of losses that can replace inventory, provide employee payroll, secure alternate suppliers and otherwise cover the costs of operations until regular services can resume.

Seeking Help for Claims

As with many natural disasters, windstorms can strike quickly and without warning. Navigating the aftermath can be stressful, and dealing with insurance providers can add another layer of stress to the process. If you are having difficulty filing your claims, or have had your claim denied, contact us today for a free claims consultation. We are here to help you claim what is rightfully yours.