In 2025, it was revealed that 38% of restaurant owners said they don’t have business insurance, and of those that did, 37% shared they were uncertain if they would be covered by weather damages.
This comes at a time where the severity of hail storms is increasing. Although 2024 had fewer hailstorms, severe hail increased by 21% compared to 2022, and every corner of the country is affected. Half of the 10 states with the highest three-year increase in major hailstorms are in the Midwest, two are in the South, two are in the West, and one is in the Northeast. Meanwhile, Missouri saw the most significant increase in major hail events in the country, a 182% rise between 2022 and 2024.
The country’s infamously dangerous and costly hail season begins in April, running throughout the summer and into September.
While you can’t predict the unexpected, business owners can better prepare themselves with preventive measures against these dangerous storms. At Society Insurance, we have compiled best practices for bars, restaurants and other hospitality establishments to help protect their businesses against hail storms and other natural seasonal disasters to avoid costly storm damage insurance claims.
Inspect your Roof Every Year or Two to Prevent Indoor Storm Damage
Not only does a regular roof inspection extend the life of your roof, saving you money long-term, it allows you to troubleshoot and remedy any issues such as split shingles, loose or broken roofing material, rusty metal and sagging. It is much easier to fix a small roof problem than a collapsed roof or burgeoning leak that can cause even more damage inside.
Address Drainage Problems Prior to Storm Season
Check your gutters and building drainage before the storm season begins. If your gutters are due for a cleaning, contact a local gutter company to complete the job. Additionally, if your roof has been damaged, your gutters may have been also. Neglected gutters spell disaster as they accumulate debris and standing water. Standing water can easily overflow into your foundation, potentially flooding the basement and shutting down your establishment.
Secure Outdoor Items to Prevent Wind Damage
Grills, picnic tables and lawn furniture can become projectiles in high wind scenarios. “Batten down the hatches” as they say – you don’t want your patio umbrella to go spiraling through the air in the midst of a summer storm. Consider securing patio furniture with steel security cables if you cannot safely store furniture.
Trim your Trees to Prevent Storm Damage
While dead trees and dead branches are a liability all of the time, dead branches are more likely to fall during heavy storms and gusting winds. This can be hazardous to you, your employees, patrons and the building. From tree limbs falling on the roof to dead branches getting tangled in power lines, a well-maintained property will, again, help you avoid costly storm damage insurance claims.
With the worst of this year’s hail season could very well still be ahead of us, there’s never a bad time to prepare for a possible hail storm. Business owners can mitigate damage to their building, payroll and bottom line if they invest a little bit of time into preventive measures.
Contact your local Society agent to discuss insurance coverage for your business or read through our case studies and white papers to learn more about how Society can help.
