Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
In many cases, insurance coverage for hail damage includes both damage and comprehensive coverage. As long as your roof’s damage is covered under your comprehensive policy, you should be able to file a claim for hail damage. However, there are some companies that may exclude cosmetic damage. This is more common with homeowners insurance policies.
How much hail damage to replace roof
A hail storm can damage your roof, but not all hail damage requires replacing it. It can also cause dents and dings to your siding, gutters, and downspouts. Even paint may show signs of damage from impact. Depending on how much hail damage your roof has, you may need to replace most or all of your shingles. Luckily, insurance companies may cover the costs of your hail damage.
The insurance company looks at hail damage from two different angles. They will generally give a certain allowance for one to two hail hits on each side of the roof. They will also perform a 10′ by 10′ test square to determine how much damage has occurred. Although each company has their own requirements, a standard test square requires between seven and 10 hits. The actual number of hits will depend on the age of the roof and its pitch.
If you’ve had hail damage, you should contact your insurance company to schedule an inspection. They will work out a date to come inspect your roof. Make sure your roofing contractor knows about the inspection. Some reputable roofing companies will even meet the adjuster to act as a “representation” for you.
Another sign of hail damage is missing pieces of asphalt shingles. Small dents can also be detected by feeling the shingles. You can also check for dents and dings in your gutters. If your gutters are damaged, water will seep into your home’s foundation. Hail damage can also affect your windows and siding.
Hail damage claim process
There are a number of steps involved in the claims process after hail damage to your home. First, your insurer will assign an adjuster to assess the damage. After determining how much damage your property has received, the adjuster will issue you a dollar amount for the repairs or replacement. It is important to be sure that your coverage limits are high enough to cover these costs. Then, the insurance adjuster will send you a form to fill out and submit.
Next, determine whether your insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs or pay for your deductible. Some policies have a one-time deductible for hail damage claims, while others have an annual deductible. The deductible is set according to the policy you have and you should ask your insurer about it before you make your claim. If you are unable to pay the deductible, your insurance company will not cover the cost. If you decide to pay the deductible out of pocket, plan accordingly to pay it.
If your policy does not cover damage caused by hail, you may still be able to get compensation for your home’s repairs. Most insurance companies will cover the repairs and replacement of any damaged items if the claim is legitimate. However, you should not attempt to repair any damaged areas yourself. Instead, contact a licensed contractor for repairs.