SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — Rain and hail has left a trail of damage in Siouxland.
“So we’re seeing some pretty extensive damage, not only from the high levels of hail, but also the rain levels as well,” Premier Systems Roofing part-owner Austin Bettin said. “We’ve been getting a lot of calls from active leaks as well. It’s been an extremely busy part of the season, but we’re trying to keep up. You know, we answer our calls 24/7.”
The Onawa area, as well as Salix and Sioux City, were hit by hail and strong rain recently.
“A lot of insurance claims are being processed right now,” Bettin said. “Adjusters, insurance companies are just as busy. So it’s taking a little bit of time to process the claims, get the adjusters out, look at houses, things like that.”
“Yeah, we’ve been extremely busy,” Jeff Pratt with McCall Agency said. “We’ve taken a couple hundred claims for property damage.”
Insurance companies say that filing a claim right away is the key to getting your home repaired faster.
“We believe that we have about 80% of our storm damage on autos covered,” Pratt said. “And then within the first 24 hours after the report, an adjuster is contacting them and then seven to 14 days is when we’re trying to get the adjuster out to the house.”
With the number of homes that have been damaged in the past few weeks, homeowners can expect to wait weeks or months for major repairs to be completed.
“You know if you’re having a leak it can get mitigated right then and there, but it does take a little bit of time,” Bettin said. “If it’s enough damage to warrant filing an insurance claim, it’s going to take a bit of time to have the adjuster come out.”
Experts say that if you suspect any damage to your roof or house, get it checked out just to be safe.