By the Numbers: Most Prevalent Property Damage Incidents Revealed

If you’re a home or a business owner, you’re no stranger to the risks of flooding, fires, mold, and other property-damaging events. 

Extreme weather is happening more often in the Chicagoland area, and it’s becoming more difficult to accurately forecast, according to CBS 2 chief meteorologist Albert Ramon. Severe storms can cause major leaks, roof failure, fires from lightning strikes, biohazards, and other expensive disasters.

While it’s crucial to have the right amount of insurance, knowing what threats are most likely to occur and proactively protecting your assets can save you tons of money and hassle over the long run. The experts at PuroClean of Evanston have put together some industry insights and useful information for property owners and managers — keep reading to learn more!

The #1 Offender

Property damage (including due to theft) is the top reason behind 97.7% of homeowner’s insurance claims, and the most frequent cause is destruction from wind and hail (48%).

With Chicago’s reputation as the “Windy City,” residents are intimately familiar with this force of nature, and average maximum wind speeds in Chicago are higher now than they were 30 years ago. In the winter especially, tree branches that are overloaded with ice and snow can become deadly projectiles when a gale hits, as well as wreck utility lines, leaving you without power on a cold and blustery night.

Pruning your trees is also good for your garden along with protecting your roof and vehicles. Arborists recommend late fall and early winter as the best times to trim your trees and always call in a professional if branches are touching power lines or poles. 

While hail storms aren’t exactly commonplace in our region, April 2023 saw hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter in La Salle County and along the I-88 and I-80 corridors. That’s considered “very large” by the National Weather Service and can cause physical injury, break windshields, and put holes in your roof. Hailstorms were responsible for at least $1 billion in residential and automotive property damage across the Midwest in 2021.

From a Spark to a Blaze

Heavy winds might be the most frequent cause of homeowner’s insurance claims, but the most costly destroyers are fire, smoke, and lightning. Per the Insurance Information Insitute, the typical property claim is around $14,000, but ones due to fire and related incidents are vastly more expensive, averaging over $80,000. 

This is because you’re dealing with burnt possessions along with lingering soot and unpleasant odors, as well as the methods used by firefighters to extinguish the conflagration, such as water hoses and chemicals. 

At PuroClean of Evanston, we have invaluable experience helping home and business owners deal with the aftermath of a devastating fire, and our comprehensive and scientific restoration process can help you get on the road to recovery quickly. Our experts are ready to help you establish the safety and habitability of the building, contact your insurance agent, and document your losses.

Nature’s Fury Unleashed

Water catastrophes are no joke, whether you’re dealing with a flooded basement, burst pipes, or a whole neighborhood underwater from a natural disaster or severe storm. Even a simple leaky faucet can waste hundreds of gallons per year and encourage mold and mildew growth, ruin insulation, and cause expensive structural damage. 

Mold is a truly insidious and unwelcome guest, and thrives in moist areas like basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. The signs aren’t always visible, but professional testing and remediation can identify and remove spores before they cause health problems like allergy symptoms, wheezing, and respiratory infections. 

A study by the University of Arizona last year tested 160 residences across seven cities — Chicago, Tampa, Atlanta, Tucson, San Francisco, New York, and Dallas — and found some type of mold present in 100% percent of them. 

In the event of street flooding, you may want to evacuate your property until it recedes, and be especially careful when returning. Floodwater can contain many nasty contaminants, including hazardous waste, industrial material, chemicals, disease-causing bacteria, and carcinogenic compounds. 

After such an event, it’s common to have feelings of despair, anger, fear, and anxiety. Dealing with extensive damage and loss is never easy. Our compassionate staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help property owners and families clean up, repair, and restore their lives and businesses to normal. 

Put an Emergency Plan In Place

No matter what you do, accidents happen. No one can predict a disaster, and insurance doesn’t prevent unfortunate events. However, developing a comprehensive emergency plan for your loved ones, tenants, or employees can help minimize damage and enable a faster recovery.

Moisture meters and flood monitoring systems are always a smart investment. Make sure all fire alarms are functioning properly and that you have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers tested regularly. 
If the unthinkable occurs, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Our technicians are ready to offer assistance and resources after a fire, flood, or extreme weather event — save our number today!