Get Ready Now for Severe Weather Season

As summer approaches, most of us are more than ready for a season of sunny skies and warm breezes. But the summer also is a great time for homeowners to prepare for severe weather. These events seem to come out of nowhere and can sometimes take homeowners by surprise.

Take, for example, the extreme weather that occurred in late March 2021 for residents in the southern United States. A significant and deadly series of tornadoes, hail and windstorms struck, just a week after an outbreak of tornadoes had affected similar areas in the region. At least 10 states endured the brunt of more than 40 confirmed tornadoes, including twisters for which the National Weather Service issued rare tornado emergencies near Hoover, Brent and Centreville, Alabama as well as the Newnan, Georgia area.

The destruction from the extreme weather events was devastating. Uprooted and felled trees crashed onto homes and other buildings. Travelers policyholders were affected by tornadoes that impacted several areas, including Birmingham, Alabama and Newnan, Georgia. To our policyholders living through this outbreak of destructive weather, the experience was personal and frightening. The Travelers Claim Corps^SM team took the matter to heart, enlisting its technology tools to help get policyholders the support they needed.

Using aerial imagery after the storms, Travelers was able to identify policyholder properties in need of repair or rebuilding, in some cases before in-person inspection was possible. In one-on-one contact with policyholders, Travelers used drone technology to conduct inspections of rooftops to help accurately estimate the costs for repairs. Our electronic payment options allowed Claim professionals to provide policyholders with immediate funds in situations where cashing checks was not possible.

Thousands of claims were filed after the March tornado, wind and hail events. Four local Claim centers supported the effort, with 26 worksites providing the response and support to get our policyholders on the path to claim resolution.

“Thanks to our ongoing investment in technology, we were not only better prepared to react to individual claims, we were also able to determine where resource demand would be highest, and plan accordingly,” said James Wucherpfennig, Vice President of Property Claim.

The tornadoes that struck in the south and along the eastern seaboard were severe and distressing, but in hindsight, they can offer some valuable lessons. Namely, that weather can be unpredictable and destructive, so preparation is key.

Travelers has expertise on how to prepare for weather events and help prevent against potential damage to your home from mishaps, catastrophes and storms. From hurricanes and hailstorms, to power outages and icy conditions, we are here with helpful tips to help protect your home and belongings.

Check out Travelers resources to learn how to prepare for extreme weather and how to help protect your home from potential water issues, no matter what weather you’re facing.