Hail Insurance Process Guide: What to Do After the Storm

Hail Insurance Coverage: An Introduction

The storm is finally over, but now it’s time for a new battle.

Your home just took a beating from the hail, causing significant damage to your roof and siding, and you might be wondering. What now? Filing an insurance claim, getting an inspection claim, and figuring out what’s covered.

It can all feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to protect your biggest investment.

That’s why we put together this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the insurance process from start to finish.

You’ll learn how to spot damage, understand your policy, file a claim, and get repairs done without stressing and second-guessing.

Let’s walk through it together so you can get back to normal as quickly (and painlessly) as possible.

Key Takeaways 

• Act fast after a storm to document damage
• Find a trusted contractor to help you through the process
• Review your insurance claim
• Final walkthroughs, inspections, and payments
• Picking the right materials to save you money
• Contact your insurance agent or a professional for assistance with hail damage claim

1. Your First Steps After Hail Damage

The hail has stopped, and now it’s time for you to act. 

Here’s what you should do right away.

• Check for damage (safely) – Once it’s safe, walk around your property. Look for dents, cracks, or missing shingles. Don’t forget to check gutters, windows, and siding as well. 
• Snap photos – Take clear photos and videos of all damage. Your phone is your best friend here; document everything.
• Prevent further damage – If there are leaks or broken windows, use tarps or boards to temporarily cover them. 
• Look for hailstones – Check to see if there are any 1” hailstones still on the ground.

A quick response now can save you from major headaches later down the road.

2. Finding the Right Contractor

Once you’ve assessed the damage on your own, it’s time to find a qualified local contractor.

Why? Having a professional at your side from start to finish is going to ensure the smoothest claim process. They can spot damage you might’ve missed and make sure everything makes it into the claim.

Here’s what to look for in a contractor.

• Licensed and insured: Don’t risk working with a fly-by-night crew.
• Experience matters: Find contractors who have more than 5 years of experience in the Colorado area. Look for a business with extensive experience in the hail damage repair industry.
• Clear explanations: Someone who doesn’t beat around the bush and gives everything to you straight.

Local Contractors will inspect your home and let you know if your home qualifies for an insurance claim. 99% of the time, they are going to be correct about the validity of the claim.

3. Calling Your Insurance Company  

Now it’s time to get your insurance company involved and get your claims process started. This can be the most overwhelming part for most people, but it isn’t as difficult as you think.

All you have to do is call your agent or use your insurer’s online claim portal to get the process started.

Once this process has started, an adjuster will come to your home and take note of all of the damage from the storm.

For your roof specifically, the adjustor will be looking at the number of impact marks per 100 sq ft. The rule of thumb is usually 10 impact marks per 100 sq ft = a new roof.

Another way to make this process even easier is to have your contractor meet with the adjustor, and they can notate the damage together.

All you have to do is get the initial ball rolling and review some paperwork, and you’re done.

4. Reviewing Your Paperwork 

So you got the ball rolling, and once the inspection of your home is done. Your insurance company will send over a report based on what they found.

The main things you want to check for are:

• Your Deductible: What you owe towards the claim. This is the dollar amount the insurance company automatically deducts from your Actual Cash Value. Understanding this amount in dollars is crucial as it directly impacts the financial implications of your claim.
• ACV (Actual Cash Value): This is what you’ll receive from the insurance company for your first check. This is what your insurance company deems your roof, siding, gutters, etc., were worth at the time the storm hit.
• Depreciation: If your home is not brand new, there is a good chance you’ll see depreciation listed in your paperwork. Depreciation is the use/time gotten out of the product. For example, Your insurance is paying $10k for siding that has a 30-year life expectancy, and it was damaged 10 years after its original installation. Since it’s been used for 10 years, the depreciation of your siding could be $3k.
• RCV (Replacement Cost Value): What the insurance company deems it will cost to replace the damaged parts of your home. This amount, minus your deductible and any non-recoverable depreciation, is what the insurance company will pay for your claim. This amount also covers the cost of materials, labor, taxes, and recoverable depreciation.

It’s always helpful to understand what’s going on with your claim. Just a little bit of review and learning, and this seemingly complicated process becomes much easier.

5. Picking Your Products 

Now is your chance to upgrade.

It’s recommended to move up to impact-resistant shingles for better durability, and in many cases, a better premium on your insurance rates and limiting your exposure to paying future deductibles. Choosing durable materials, such as metal, for repairs can also help your home withstand future hail damage.

But keep in mind, if you have an HOA or live in a covenant-protected community, it may be a difficult process to change colors or major product types in your home.

Talk it through with your contractor; a quality roofer will walk you through your choices and help you make the best choices.

6. Scheduling and Project Day

Once you’ve got your game plan set, it’s time to get your home on your contractor’s schedule. You’ll coordinate with your contractor on the project duration as well. Since this can change depending on the lead time of materials, delays, and anything else that can affect the project, it’s crucial to ensure all repairs are completed promptly and any issues are fixed to avoid further complications.

Before work starts:

• Take pictures in case damages occur
• Make sure outdoor furniture is moved out of the way
• Make sure landscaping is tarped or protected somehow

While the project is moving:

• Move your vehicles out of the way
• Plan for your pet’s wellbeing, it’s going to be loud as the contractor’s work
• Take a picture of your driveway because of potential oil spills or damage from materials

Making sure the job runs as smoothly as possible while covering all of your bases makes for a hopefully easy repair.

The process is almost over, and now we’re in the home stretch.

7. The Final Steps

The work is finally done; you’re standing in your driveway looking at your fully repaired or upgraded home.

So, how do we close this thing out? It’s crucial to ensure you receive the appropriate settlement check from your insurance company to cover the true repair costs.

City Inspection

Once the work is complete, your contractor will schedule a city inspection to see if your home passes. Obviously, failing an inspection isn’t great, but a lot of times is easily fixable. 

Final Walkthrough

Walk the property with your contractor and check for:

• The quality of workmanship in restoring your home to its original condition
• Clean-up (no debris or leftover materials)
• That all promised repairs or upgrades were completed

If you notice anything is off, now is the chance to speak up. A good contractor will address it without hesitation.

You also want to collect your warranties and proof of inspection as well.

Final Payments 

Now all that’s left is to pay your RCV, which is essentially the paid amount from your insurance coverage, to pay your contractor. And you’re all done, it’s as simple as that!

8. Preventing Hail Damage

Preventing hail damage is not always possible, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. If you live in an area prone to hailstorms, such as Colorado, it’s essential to be aware of the weather forecast and take necessary precautions.

Reviewing your car insurance policy to ensure you have comprehensive coverage is another important step. Comprehensive coverage can provide protection for hail damage and other risks, such as storm damage and falling objects. By being proactive and taking the necessary precautions, you can help reduce the risk of hail damage and maintain the value of your vehicle.

Conclusion 

Dealing with hail damage can feel overwhelming, but when you follow the right steps and partner with the right people, it becomes a manageable and stress-free process.

From documenting the damage to picking your materials and completing your final walkthrough, every step matters. The more informed and prepared you are, the smoother things go and the better protected your home will be for the future. Ensuring you have hail damage covered in your home insurance policy is crucial for comprehensive protection against storm-related damage.

Remember, you don’t have to navigate it alone. A trustworthy contractor will guide you, advocate for you during the claim, and ensure your home is restored the right way.