Royal & SunAlliance advises on hailstorm protection

Royal & SunAlliance recently released a public announcement advising insureds on how to stay protected during a hailstorm.First and foremost the insurer says you should: * Find shelter – avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, picnic shelters and open spaces* Stay indoors, and away from windows, glass doors and skylights, which can shatter if hit by hailstones* Avoid using the telephone during a storm, and do not touch metal objects like stoves, radiators, metal pipes, and sinks* Keep your pets indoors and away from windows, glass doors and skylights* Move your vehicle to a sheltered area* Store copies of important documents, such as wills and insurance policies, offsite

The insurer also provides advice on how to act if home or business property incurs damage from a hailstorm:* If you lose power, turn off your appliances to avoid a power surge when the power is restored.* Do NOT touch electrical wires, appliances or devices* Use a flashlight, not a candle, as a source of light* Check for any gas leaks and turn the valves off if there is a leak* Do not drive through flooded roadways* Separate damaged property from undamaged property, and prepare an inventory of what has been lost or damaged* Take photographs of damaged property. If covered, your insurer will reimburse you for the cost of the developing* Keep receipts for any clean up costs incurred (i.e. shop vac rentals, cleaning supplies, etc.)* Contact your independent insurance broker or your insurance company to report any damage. In order to stay protected and prepared for future storms, the insurer says to:

* Cover windows with a protective film to resist shattering* Install surge arrestors or suppressors to protect your electronics against lightning striking power lines* If you are having your roof redone, install impact resistant roof covering* If you are replacing the siding on your home, use materials that will withstand hail* Remove weak branches and trees that could fall on your home* Put your vehicle and other valuables in a garage or shelter if there is a threat of a thunderstorm