Hail Damage
Avoid being taken advantage of during the hail damage adjustment and repair replacement process. It is wise to have a public adjuster manage your hail damage claim to ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your loss. Filing a property insurance claim and obtaining financial recovery for hail damage can be a daunting task due to the various insurance policy coverage issues that arise and the discretionary nature of the insurance adjustment process. Do not rely on the insurance company to inform you of what they plan to pay you.
Different adjusting standards may exist for adjusters and the insurance companies they represent, as outlined in their respective claim department manuals. In the event of a severe hailstorm, visible damages should be apparent, and the coverage of the loss should be confirmed early on in the process. Unfortunately, we hear from policyholders who are offered partial repairs of their roof and siding rather than proper replacements.
Approach and Recommendations
Other challenges that you may face with many hail claims include the scope of damages and the dollar amount your insurance adjuster says you will receive, based on the insurance policy terms and conditions. Often, the adjuster’s training, experience, and knowledge of the adjustment process for this type of loss will play a significant role in valuing and settling your claim
My roof has cosmetic damage, is this covered?
Yes, this constitutes direct physical damage and is typically covered under your insurance policy. It’s important to remember that your insurance company is obligated to restore you to your pre-loss condition. There are various methods to address this type of damage, and you should receive compensation for this type of loss.
My roof doesn't have visible damage, is it still covered?
It is possible that your claim is covered if you have experienced physical damage. One aspect that is often overlooked is the loss or damages to your roof warranty if it was still valid at the time of the hail damage. If your roof was covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, it is possible that the warranty becomes void if the damage is caused by an act of God such as hail. In such a case, your insurance company should compensate you for the loss of warranty, which can be argued in several ways. However, it is important to note that you must first have direct physical damage caused by hail to be successful with a loss of warranty claim. If you need more information on this issue, you can contact Tutwiler and Associates. They have helped many clients over the years with their roof warranty claims and have had many success stories.
