Hailstorms can be unpredictable and destructive. And because hail varies from pea-sized to softball-sized, it can cause notable damage.
Have you experienced hail damage to your roof? You’re not alone. Roof damage is the most common – after auto damage – when it comes to hail claims.
There are multiple steps to take when responding to hail damage to your roof to your property insurance company. And these steps could make or break your insurance claim reimbursement. So, let’s take a closer look at the specifics of hail damage.
Identifying Hail Damage to a Roof
Your first step after a hailstorm is to identify the damage. The type of damage you experience is going to depend on the size and intensity of the hail, plus your roofing material.
- If your roof has wood shingles, look for split jagged shingles, slightly darkened marks, and a sporadic pattern of damage.
- If your roof is made of asphalt and composite shingles, look for black or shiny spots, loss of roof grit, and exposed roof felt.
- If your roof is made of metal, look for dings, streaks, and bent areas. Often, severe hail can really damage the structural integrity of metal roofing.
- What about concrete or clay tiles? Can they be damaged by hail? Absolutely.
It’s important that you identify and prove that your roof damage was caused by hail. Documentation in photos before and after the storm can help with this, especially if your roof is in good condition.
Insurance policies cover damage from sudden and accidental events, such as a hail storm. Policies do not cover wear and tear or failure to properly maintain the roof. If your roof was in good condition you want to be able to demonstrate that and show that the damage is a result of the hail story. Otherwise, your insurer or claims adjuster could deem your roof damage as the result of age or disrepair, not hail. Then you risk being denied coverage.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail?
The short answer is yes. Most homeowners insurance covers roof damage from hail. But, unfortunately, the process is not usually that simple.
And this is why it’s so important to closely review the specifics of your policy.
Deductibles and Exclusions
Do you live in an area where hail is common? You may be subject to hail deductibles or higher policy costs. Parts of the western United States, including Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, are especially susceptible to hailstorms. However, these storms are increasing in other states, as well. Though not one of the leading hail areas, Florida experiences more hail storms than most people realize. According to the Insurance Information Institute, in recent years, Texas leads the United States in the number of hail loss claims and the number of major hail events.
One thing to know about these policies: They may have “cosmetic exclusions” for hail. This means your policy won’t cover superficial damage from hail, unless you have additional coverage. And, unfortunately, cosmetic damage can often develop into more structural damage with time. Because of this, it can be incredibly beneficial for you to reach out to an attorney who specializes in property damage the moment you decide to file a hail-related claim.
Filing Your Hail Claim
Once you decide to file a claim for your hail damage to roof, you want to review your policy first. This way you understand exactly what is and isn’t covered before you start the process.
Once you understand your coverage, you can take the following steps to begin your claim:
- Document any and all damage. As stated above, taking detailed photographs is vital to a strong claim.
- Contact your insurer and notify them of the hail damage to your roof, or, if they offer this service, let your experienced property insurance attorney do this for you.
- Consider reaching out to an experienced roofing company for a free assessment of the damage. Some people prefer to do this even before they contact their insurer. Remember, a roof with pre-existing damage or one that isn’t installed properly can result in denied claims.
- Prepare for the adjuster. Your insurance will send an adjuster to survey damage and create an estimate. You should have your roof assessment and documentation of damage ready for this visit. In this way, you can negotiate the two assessments. It is important to realize that although the insurance company’s adjuster may be nice, he or she works for the insurance company and is not your friend. A conversation with an insurance company’s adjuster regarding a claim is not a social conversation. Different rules and expectations apply. In addition, common words may have technical meanings that when used out of context could affect your claim. If you are not familiar with this process, you may want to consider obtaining professional assistance.
How Long Do I Have to File?
Your state’s laws and the insurance policy contain important filing deadlines. Failure to file a claim on time could result in the claim being unenforceable or denied. Even if not filed past the legal deadline, the longer you wait, the higher your chance becomes of having your claim denied. You also risk increasing damage to your roof over time as you wait for repairs to be approved.
This is why we recommended starting your hail claim process by first reaching out to the team at The Professional Law Group. Property damage can be stressful, but we work hard to try toyou get the coverage you deserve. Call us to get a free claims assessment today, and let our expert insurance attorneys represent you.