Evaluating Hail Damage Using Property Insurance Claims Data

A series of thunderstorms on 24 May 2011 produced significant hail in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex, resulting in an estimated $876.8 million (U.S. dollars) in insured losses to property and automobiles, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Insurance claims and policy-in-force data were obtained from five insurance companies for more than 67 000 residential properties located in 20 ZIP codes. The methodology for selecting the 20 ZIP codes is described. This study evaluates roofing material type with regard to resiliency to hailstone impacts and relative damage costs associated with roofing systems versus wall systems. A comparison of Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) radar-estimated hail sizes and damage levels seen in the claims data is made. Recommendations for improved data collection and quality of insurance claims data, as well as guidance for future property insurance claims studies, are summarized. Studies such as these allow insurance underwriters and claims adjusters to better evaluate the relative performance and vulnerability of various roofing systems and other building components as a function of hail size. They also highlight the abilities and limitations of utilizing radar horizontal reflectivity-based hail sizes, local storm reports, and Storm Data for claims processing. Large studies of this kind may be able to provide guidance to consumers, designers, and contractors concerning building product selections for improved resiliency to hailstorms, and give a glimpse into how product performance varies with storm exposure. Reducing hail losses would reduce the financial burden on property owners and insurers and reduce the amount of building materials being disposed of after storms.