Do Insurance Policies Cover Hail Damage?

As a homeowner, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover hail damage to your roof. The reality is that hail damage claims on homeowners insurance are one of the most common. Hail damage is responsible for more than 70% of roof damage and other parts of your house.

The good news is that homeowners insurance usually covers hail damage to the roof and other parts of the house depending on your location. Insurance policies in areas with frequent hail storms are likely to have limitations to hail damage coverage.

Regardless of your location, determining the amount of damage hail storms have done on your roof can be difficult. Here is everything you should know about hail damage and home insurance.

Do Insurance Policies Cover Hail Damage?

You will be glad to know that most home insurance policies cover the roof and structural property damage from various hazards, including hail. Hail is covered under the dwelling protection coverage.

Homeowners who have this coverage will not have to pay for repairs and rebuilding of the roof and other damaged parts due to hail. Dwelling protection coverage also protects against theft, windstorm, fire, lighting, and vandalism.

Apart from your roof, dwelling protection coverage also covers other structures, including garage, appliances, Windows, desk, and porch. Some policies also protect detached structures like tool shed and garage. However, your limits and deductibles will influence the amount you can claim.

Get help from a reliable insurance agent before picking your plan. Experienced insurance agents will help you choose the right policy according to your budget. Your agent will work with you to choose the best insurance policy in your area.

Does Location Matter?

Although insurance companies in several regions cover hail damage to the roof and other parts of the house, insurance companies limit their coverage in areas prone to hail storms.

Some insurance companies choose to increase the cost of their policies due to the higher risk. The best thing you can do if you reside in a hailstorm prone area is to talk with your insurance agent. Ask the agent if you can purchase additional coverage for hail and wind if the insurer does not provide coverage. The most vulnerable area for hail damage is known as hail alley.

What to Do When Your Roof is Damaged by Hail

While you might be tempted to reach out to your insurance company after hail damages your roof, it is best to wait. The best thing you should do is take pictures of the damage before cleaning the mess and start repairs. It is also advisable to take photos of the hail if possible. Remember to note the date before using a waterproof tarp to cover the roof damage.

You can now choose to call your insurance agent or reach out to a reliable roofing specialist. Talking to a roofing specialist before calling your insurance company might be the right thing to do. The specialist will survey to help you claim after determining if you should replace or repair your damaged roof.

How to Assess Roof Damage

Once the roofing specialist verifies the damage, you should go ahead and contact your insurance company. Remember to let the insurer know your roof has been inspected by a roofing specialist and what was recommended.

Your insurance company will then send an adjuster to assess the damage. After assessing the damage, the adjuster will provide estimates for replacements or repairs. It is best to make sure your roofing specialist is present to point out the damages to the adjuster.

Hiring a professional roofing expert is the best thing to do for various reasons. Discover why you should contact a roofing expert before you call your insurer below:

• Extensive Knowledge and Experience

Insurance adjusters do not have the required roofing knowledge and expertise. Professional roofers will use their roofing knowledge and skills for an accurate inspection. Unlike adjusters, roofers dive deeper to identify every underlying issue.

• Avoid the Claim Fiasco

Let us face it dealing with an insurance company can be stressful. The claim process is also confusing and tiring claim. You do not have to go through the entire fiasco when you let a certified roofer do it for you.

• Make the Right Decision

You will have to pay out of pocket if the insurance adjuster determines the damage is under your deductible amount.

Moreover, the insurance company will still think of it as a claim even if it does not cover the damages. This will increase your insurance policy premium.

The good news is that you will be under no obligation to open an insurance claim if it is not necessary. Your roofer will work with you to help you make the right decision.

Limitations to What Insurance Covers Hail Damage to Roof

Insurance companies have restricted the types of damage their cover due to the rising number of hail claims. They are introducing cosmetic exclusions for hail coverage. This means that most insurance companies are not covering damages that affect the aesthetics instead of the function.

The problem is that some minor issues can cause significant structural damage if not addressed. Talk with your insurer to ask for higher premiums in exchange for comprehensive coverage to avoid paying for your repairs.

Will Insurance Rates Increase After Filing a Claim for Hail Damage?

Your insurance company will not increase your premiums hail damage is an unpreventable hazard. However, the insurance company might decide to increase the insurance rates if your area becomes more susceptible to hail damage.

Protecting Your Roof From Hail Damage

Your roof is more vulnerable to hail than any other part of your home. The good news is that you can protect it by installing impact-resistant shingles. In addition to that, you should install, durable and impact-resistant roofing.

Do you need durable and impact-resistant roofing? When it comes to residential and commercial roofing, Sellers Roofing Company – New Brighton has got you covered. Call us now for affordable and durable roofing solutions for your home and business.