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5 Electrically Powered Items That Were Repairable

After Wind Damage

Spring storms often lead to wind-related claims for electrically powered items, but automatically settling for a full replacement can be unnecessary and result in claims leakage. In fact, during 2024, StrikeCheck found that more than 25% of reportedly wind-damaged items in residential claims were non-damaged or could be returned to pre-loss condition without a full replacement.

Check out the enlightening data below about StrikeCheck assessments of items in wind claims, then explore 5 real claims where settling for a replacement without an assessment could have resulted in unnecessary settlement costs.

Frequency of Wind as the Reported vs. Actual Cause of Loss for Various Equipment Types

Choose a description below to read about a StrikeCheck assignment where repairs were the most appropriate solution for these electrically powered items.

Outdoor Sound System
Refrigerators
Hot Tub
Overhead Service Entrance
Electrical Wiring

The overturned subwoofer was one indicator that the outdoor sound system was impacted by winds.

Outdoor Sound System

After a windstorm, the policyholder stated that their damaged sound system had to be purchased as a set and submitted a claim for a full replacement.

Assessment: StrikeCheck’s assessment determined that wind pulled the speaker and subwoofer from their locations, as indicated by wires above ground. These two items failed to produce sound when tested. However, the StrikeCheck team determined that replacing only these two items, without replacing the entire system, was the most appropriate solution to restore the sound system to pre-loss condition.

Claim Accuracy:

Read more about how various perils might impact outdoor electronics in Outdoor Electronics: Your Guide to Perils, Damages, and Assessments.

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Readings confirmed that after the windstorm, the refrigerator and freezer compartments were not cooling as designed.

Refrigerators

Even when power was restored following an outage due to tornadic winds, two refrigerators on the property would not cool.

Assessment: StrikeCheck’s onsite testing of the refrigerators confirmed that they would power on but would not cool. Their compressors operated as intended, but the control boards’ electrical components were damaged by the wind-related power outage, preventing cooling cycles. Replacing the control boards would restore operation, and a full replacement wasn’t necessary.

Claim Accuracy:

Wind is only one of the surprising reasons refrigerators can end up in claims. Learn what you should know by getting your copy of the Refrigerator Claims Guide.

Despite wind damage to its siding and cover, the hot tub functioned as designed during StrikeCheck’s onsite assessment.

Hot Tub

A tornado reportedly damaged the hot tub and its cover, leaving windblown debris inside the water. The adjuster needed to know if it could be repaired.

Assessment: The onsite inspection found that the hot tub cover’s hinges had been struck by a wind-felled tree and bent. Similarly, a corner exterior panel was cracked due to impact damage. However, testing confirmed that the hot tub was functioning as intended and that the tornado had not caused electrical or mechanical failures. Repairing the impact-damaged cover and corner panel would address the wind damage.

Claim Accuracy:

The article, Finding the Correct Cause of Loss in Hot Tub Claims, explains how hot tubs work and includes more examples of why an assessment can help prevent claims leakage when they’re reported as damaged.

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The board to which the overhead service entrance was attached had been improperly installed, making the equipment susceptible to wind damage.

Overhead Service Entrance

The policyholder reported that an overhead service entrance, meter socket, and electrical service panel were wind damaged and could no longer be used. The claim they submitted included three contractors’ bids ranging from nearly $4,000 to over $10,000. The three contractors recommended removing the existing equipment and replacing it with new items, including an updated grounding system and, in two cases, a whole-home surge protection system.

Assessment: Onsite, the StrikeCheck technician noted that the board on which the overhead service entrance was mounted was coming loose from the house, as it had not been properly attached at the time of the windstorm. The equipment was disconnected, but its wiring was non-damaged. The meter socket and electrical service panel included in the claim were likewise non-damaged. The equipment could be restored by reconnecting the loose overhead service entrance. The StrikeCheck team checked on market value pricing to determine that two of the contractors’ quotes were above fair market value. The lower quote was within fair market value but still included labor and equipment that was unnecessary to return the overhead service entrance to pre-loss condition.

Claim Accuracy:

Do you know when the National Electrical Code applies to older equipment? Learn all about it in Four Recent Electrical Code Updates Adjusters Should Know, a dive into the commonly adopted NEC 2020.

Know the Code

Wind damage to the electrical wiring in the bathroom could be traced back to a single damaged circuit to the bathroom’s light fixture and exhaust fan.

Electrical Wiring

Wind impacted a roof, allowing water to enter the house and damage interior overhead lights. The adjuster needed to know the scope of damage and recommendations for next steps.

Assessment: StrikeCheck’s functional testing of the electrical wiring revealed that a circuit to the bathroom light fixture and exhaust fan would trip the electrical service panel’s circuit breaker when energized, though the electrical service panel and electrical outlets included in the claim were found to be fully operational and not damaged by the wind-driven water intrusion. The StrikeCheck team recommended repairing the electrical wiring by replacing the single damaged circuit.

Claim Accuracy:

Water can enter a home and damage electrical components in several ways. Learn how, as well as the different types of water that may show up in your claims, in the Water Damage to Electrically Powered Items article.

Find Out More

Don't Settle for Unnecessary Replacements

Resolving claims for electrically powered items reportedly damaged by wind or other perils without an objective assessment risks unnecessary replacements and claims leakage.

Powered by Alpine Intel, StrikeCheck’s expert team ensures adjusters have the answers needed to make a fair and accurate settlement decision by providing:

Onsite Assessments

Cause of Loss

Scope of Damage

Repair and Replacement Recommendations

Market Value Pricing for Like Kind and Quality Equipment

By offering fast cycle times and comprehensive solutions for property claims with electrically powered items, StrikeCheck eliminates speculation and guesswork to help clients make better claim settlement decisions.

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