A weather expert replied that it was unclear whether heavy hail in the USA had increased significantly in the long term. Harold Brooks, senior research scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, also part of NOAA, said the storm prediction center’s hail data should be viewed with caution.
For example, reports can be submitted by volunteer spotters, whose training may vary. (Typically, people reporting hail are asked to compare it to the size of a ball or coin, which is then converted to inches.) Additionally, the criteria for severe hail changed in 2010, making historical comparisons difficult.
Nevertheless, insurers are reporting major hail damage. In 2023, State Farm paid 27,300 claims for hail damage to homes and businesses, up from 23,200 in 2022, said Heather Paul, a company spokeswoman. Payouts totaled $6.1 billion last year, more than the previous two years combined.
“We are seeing an increase in severe weather,” Ms. Paul said.
In addition, inflation drives up the cost of materials and labor to repair damage, increasing insurers’ liability. More development in areas affected by severe storms is also a factor. The average hail damage suffered by State Farm homeowners was about $17,000 last year, up from $16,000 in 2022, Ms. Paul said.
That’s a worrisome trend for homeowners because losses mean insurers may “become bold to cut and cut coverage,” said Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a consumer advocacy group. Property owners and insurance adjusters have indicated that insurers are “getting aggressive” in denying hail damage, she said.
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2024-03-22 13:00:19
www.nytimes.com
