Receive comprehensive assessment results for claims

with HVAC and refrigeration equipment.

Receive comprehensive assessment results for claims with HVAC and Refrigeration equipment.

Spring Storm

Claims Trends

|

Other Causes

of Loss

|

Repair and Replacement

Solutions

|
|

Other Spring Storms

Resources

Spring Storm

Claims Trends

|

Other Causes

of Loss

|

Repair and Replacement

Solutions

|

Reported vs. Actual

Cause of Loss

|

Register for the Spring

Storms Webinar

Impacts to HVAC Systems Frequently Appearing in Wind and Hail Claims

Prepare to tackle HVAC claims following spring storms. Explore claims trends, uncover potential causes of loss beyond wind and hail, and review repair or replacement solutions.

Spring Storm Claims Trends

Spring storms lead to numerous claims that carriers need to resolve. Consider this data before settling a claim without an expert assessment. 

QUESTION 1/3

More than 80% of residential HVAC equipment impacted by hail could be repaired.

True
False

CORRECT

True!

Only 16% of residential HVAC equipment with verified hail impacts required replacement.

Next
Back

INCORRECT

Sorry, the correct answer is TRUE.

Less than 20% of residential HVAC equipment that HVACi determined to have verified hail impacts needed to be replaced.

Next
Back

QUESTION 2/3

Residential HVAC equipment with reported wind damage always had that cause of loss.

True
False

INCORRECT

Sorry, the correct answer is FALSE.
Wind was the actual cause of loss for 7% of residential equipment, though it was reported for 15%.
Back
Next

CORRECT

False!

Wind was the actual cause of loss for 7% of residential equipment, though it was reported for 15%.

Back
Next

QUESTION 3/3

Hail is the most frequently claimed peril for  commercial equipment that HVACi assessed. 

True
False

CORRECT

True!

Commercial policyholders claimed that hail impacted their HVAC and refrigeration equipment nearly 30% of the time. However, the cause of loss was recategorized, in some cases, following a thorough evaluation.

Back
Retake quiz

INCORRECT

Sorry, the correct answer is TRUE.

Commercial policyholders claimed that hail damaged their HVAC and refrigeration equipment nearly 30% of the time. However, the cause of loss was recategorized, in some cases, following a thorough evaluation. 

Back
Retake quiz
Don’t settle for unnecessary replacements.

Storms with hail and wind can cause devastating losses for residential and commercial policyholders. Before carriers settle for replacements, it's critical that adjusters confirm the cause of loss and scope of damage. By not doing so, they risk settling for equipment damaged by a typically non-covered peril or for components that are functioning as designed.

DID YOU KNOW?

Most residential and commercial HVAC systems with confirmed hail damage were split systems or package units. 

84%

of residential equipment impacted by hail could be repaired

27%

of commercial equipment included in claims had a reported cause of loss of hail

OTHER CAUSES OF LOSS

Losses could look like hail but are actually something else – and they may not be covered by insurance.

FOREIGN OBJECT IMPACT

When condenser coils have marks in a linear pattern at the bottom, it is more likely to be a foreign object impact. In this case, landscaping equipment hitting the side of the HVAC system caused the damage. Wind can also push other objects into the equipment. This could result in minor to major damage to a condensing unit.

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE

Policyholders frequently file claims for their HVAC system after a storm hits. However, many times damage occurs over time from improper maintenance. Condenser coils need to stay clean and free from dirt and other debris. Not performing this maintenance could inhibit how well the system functions – and may cause it to work harder.

WEAR AND TEAR

WEAR AND
TEAR

Condenser coils, and other HVAC components, get damaged with age and being outside in the elements. Signs of wear and tear may include a unit that is heavy with corrosion; condenser coils that are brittle and deteriorated; or condenser coils, evaporator coils, and air filters that are dirty.

REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT SOLUTIONS

Consider all repair options, from minor to major, before settling an HVAC claim with replacement equipment.

CLEANING

Spring storms may bring gusty winds that blow leaves, dust, dirt, and other debris into an HVAC system’s condenser coils. The coils have copper tubing that carries the refrigerant. Malleable aluminum fins typically surround the copper tubes.

 

Having dirt and debris in these fins could diminish their effectiveness, depending on the severity. Cleaning dirty coils can frequently return them to proper working order; however, insureds and their contractors should be mindful of what they use to clean components to not risk unnecessary damage.

COMBING

Dented or deformed tube and fin coil could block airflow, which may impact the system’s effectiveness, depending on the extent of the impact. Thin, plastic, or metal combs can straighten traditional tube and fin coils and return them to the proper position.

 

Contractors may not initially give combing as an option because of the time it takes to do, but it is a simple, inexpensive repair that can return equipment to pre-loss condition. Not all fins are able to be combed, and an objective evaluation would determine that.

NEW FAN AND/OR

FAN MOTOR

Hail or wind-thrown objects could dent or break the fan motor or blades of the condensing unit, which could cause a system imbalance or other malfunctions.

 

Policyholders can return equipment to pre-loss condition by replacing the fan or fan motor – before the impacts get worse.

NEW CONDENSER

COIL

Traditional fins that are torn, flattened too far, or corroded can’t be combed. Other types of condenser coils, including micro-channel or spine fin coils, also can’t be combed and must be replaced.

 

Before settling for a new condensing unit, check to see if the condensing coil is available as HVAC distributors and manufacturers typically keep these in stock or can make them on demand. It’s a much cheaper – and just as viable – solution.

NEW CONDENSING

UNIT

Impacts may be severe enough, or other circumstances exist, to make the best solution replacing the condensing unit. Adjusters should make sure the replacement has a compatible Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio to the indoor HVAC equipment or risk a follow-up claim that may require a full HVAC replacement.

 

Additional components, including a new evaporating coil, may be necessary to make the equipment compatible.

FULL REPLACEMENT

Typically, less than 20% of residential HVAC systems impacted by hail need complete replacement. The most common reason a full-system replacement would be necessary is if the indoor unit has a built-in integrated coil that can’t be changed out independently, or if there is an efficiency or refrigerant mismatch after component replacement.

 

Adjusters who do have to settle for replacement equipment should ensure that the new system is of Like Kind and Quality to what the policyholder had and that the costs are in line with market values.

How HVACi can help settle claims more accurately

Adjusters handling claims related to spring storms need expert support to ensure they can  settle claims quickly and accurately. With our innovative processes, an extensive in-field network, and comprehensive testing based on engineering best practices, HVAC Investigators (HVACi) provides adjusters just the facts. Our assessment reports enable adjusters to confidently decide how to proceed with each claim by including accurate cause of loss and scope of damage determinations, objective repair and replacement recommendations, and settlement recommendations based on market value. 

$6,886

Average claim accuracy for all residential claims 
Recategorized Perils

51%

Percentage of perils recategorized
following HVACi’s independent assessment

$42,156

Average commercial claim accuracy for all claims

Ready to get expert insights into a wind, hail, or any other kind of HVAC-related claim?

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Ins and Outs of Hail-Related HVAC Claims eBook

Learn about the HVAC components likely to be affected by hail, tips to confirm whether hail is the cause of loss, and repair options to be considered before a full replacement with this comprehensive eBook. Plus, get access to images and diagrams that make this information easy to read and absorb.

 

Simply fill out the form to receive your copy!

Get the eBook

Commercial Large Loss HVAC Hail Claim Case Study

Hail affects HVAC units differently, even on the same property, making large loss commercial HVAC claims with hail damage and diverse systems particularly complex. When an adjuster received such a claim involving over 50 systems at a large Texas church, they turned to HVACi for a swift expert evaluation.

 

This case study demonstrates how HVACi conducts thorough onsite assessments, recommends Like Kind and Quality repair vs. replacement options, and delivers a detailed, actionable report to support confident claim decisions.

 

Complete the form to access the full case study!

Download the Case Study

Hail-Related Property Damage Claims eBook

With the number of hail events each year in the thousands, you’re likely to have many hail-related claims with reported damages to multiple aspects of a property beyond HVAC equipment, including roofs, siding, solar power equipment, and other outdoor electronically powered items.

 

This eBook provides tips and information to consider when handling these claims, including:

The 5 Ws of hail events

Hail impacts to roofs and roof coverings

Hail effects on HVAC systems

Hail damage to outdoor electronics

How assessments determine cause and scope

 

Fill out the form to get this valuable resource delivered right to your inbox!

Get the eBook

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