3 Reasons Not To Skip Window Assessments When Handling Wind and Hail Claims

Another storm hit the Southeast. That’s not unusual, particularly if it’s springtime. Your workload is already heavy, and now claims for wind and hail damage to multiple residential windows are pouring in that need to be settled quickly. Before you consider skipping a window assessment, remember these three reasons why obtaining an accurate cause of loss is the most important step to all windows claims.

Window inspections are a critical step in the claims process, and skipping it could impact the settlement.

1.Not Every Window Will Be Affected

Weather data from reputable resources like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) may confirm that wind and hail were in the area at the time of loss and that the property could have been impacted. However, that doesn’t mean these perils affected all claimed window units.

Other variables, including where windows are located, must be taken into account. Those facing the opposite direction of the wind are less susceptible to wind damage than those on the windward side. Assessments can pinpoint exactly how many window units have a verified failure and how many are still functioning as designed.

Take this two-story Wisconsin home that has 39 window units. An adjuster sought Donan Engineering’s assistance to determine if any of them had been damaged by wind or hail during a recent storm.

Of the 39 units, five were out of plumb because of the way they were installed, and several showed evidence of fogging, condensation, mineral deposits, and discoloration from age-related windowpane seal deterioration. Testing internally and externally determined 19 of the 20 non-fixed window units functioned properly at the time of evaluation. One was painted shut. Overall findings concluded none of the windows were damaged by wind or hail.

Without an assessment, the carrier may have unnecessarily settled for replacement costs for non-damaged window units.

2. Not Everything Is a Covered Peril

While insurance doesn’t typically cover some causes of loss, the final decision on how to settle the claim is entirely up to the carrier. A third-party vendor, regardless of their experience and expertise, shouldn’t tell you if a loss is covered. But windows can sustain failures from multiple perils, and unbiased assessments should determine what the actual cause of loss is even if it’s not what was reported so that you can quickly decide how to proceed.

A home in Florida was in the path of Hurricane Ian – a Category 4 hurricane that later became a tropical storm over land. The property had 11 window units, including single-hung horizontal sliding windows; fixed-sash, single-paned windows; and two glass sliding doors. An internal and external assessment for each window unit to verify wind damage proved only two were functioning as designed. All were bowed outward at their centers. One window unit couldn’t open, two didn’t latch, and several were difficult to operate.

Outward bowing is inconsistent with wind damage but rather is evidence of a manufacturer defect.

A Donan Engineering investigation determined that the outward bowing was inconsistent with typical wind damage, particularly because it was not just on the windward side of the property.

In this case, none of the window units had sustained wind damage as reported, and the adjuster had what was needed to determine the claim’s best next steps.

3.You Can Proceed With Certainty – and Policyholder Trust

Chances are, you aren’t going out to the property to examine the windows yourself, and without actionable data, you may not have what you need to justify to a policyholder why a settlement decision was made. Windows assessments, particularly those conducted by Donan’s licensed forensic engineers, enable you to confidently take the next steps in a claim.

A window assessment report should provide actual cause of loss, data-based conclusions, and necessary evidence to back it all up. These include property and window descriptions, structure diagrams and images, weather data where applicable, and easy-to-read observations. With this information readily available, you have what you need to answer policyholder questions and maintain their trust that your settlement decision was rooted in scientific methodology.

A Donan Engineering investigation can provide all the information adjusters need to take the next best steps with confidence.

Whether you have one windows-related claim or a to-do list full of them, ensure you have taken the most critical first step of confirming cause of loss to every window unit on the property before making a settlement decision. Donan Engineering provides actionable intelligence through conclusive evaluations of windows and other structural components to enable our clients to close claims quickly and accurately. Submit an assignment to simplify your decision-making process.