Royal & SunAlliance advises on hailstorm protection

Royal & SunAlliance recently released a public announcement advising insureds on how to stay protected during a hailstorm.
First and foremost the insurer says you should:
* Find shelter – avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, picnic shelters and open spaces
* Stay indoors, and away from windows, glass doors and skylights, which can shatter if hit by hailstones
* Avoid using the telephone during a storm, and do not touch metal objects like stoves, radiators, metal pipes, and sinks
* Keep your pets indoors and away from windows, glass doors and skylights
* Move your vehicle to a sheltered area
* Store copies of important documents, such as wills and insurance policies, offsite

The insurer also provides advice on how to act if home or business property incurs damage from a hailstorm:
* If you lose power, turn off your appliances to avoid a power surge when the power is restored.
* Do NOT touch electrical wires, appliances or devices
* Use a flashlight, not a candle, as a source of light
* Check for any gas leaks and turn the valves off if there is a leak
* Do not drive through flooded roadways
* Separate damaged property from undamaged property, and prepare an inventory of what has been lost or damaged
* Take photographs of damaged property. If covered, your insurer will reimburse you for the cost of the developing
* Keep receipts for any clean up costs incurred (i.e. shop vac rentals, cleaning supplies, etc.)
* Contact your independent insurance broker or your insurance company to report any damage.
In order to stay protected and prepared for future storms, the insurer says to:

* Cover windows with a protective film to resist shattering
* Install surge arrestors or suppressors to protect your electronics against lightning striking power lines
* If you are having your roof redone, install impact resistant roof covering
* If you are replacing the siding on your home, use materials that will withstand hail
* Remove weak branches and trees that could fall on your home
* Put your vehicle and other valuables in a garage or shelter if there is a threat of a thunderstorm