Hail Damage Insurance Coverage

Many things stress out a person who owns a home or business. Some stressors can be dealt with easily while others compel the person to seek outside help.

Hail damage to the roof is one that leaves property owners feeling helpless. We can’t blame them; they’re not roofing experts. But knowing what you can do in this situation is key to protecting your finances.

This blog post discusses insurance in the event of a hail storm.

For the first part, let’s answer the question, “Is hail damage covered by insurance?” Secondly, we’ll talk about the signs of hail damage. The third part is about some do’s and don’ts when filing an insurance claim.

Keep reading.

The straightforward answer: IT DEPENDS. Whether or not your insurance provider approves the claim depends on various factors.

Roofing Age

This is a huge one. How old is your roof? Some insurance companies do not provide you the full amount for a roof replacement if your roof is around 20 years old. Most roofing systems already show signs of deterioration when they hit the 20-year mark. Examples are asphalt shingles and single-ply membranes.

Damage

Damage that is already present on your roof can affect your insurance claim. As a proactive homeowner, it helps to get regular inspections and repairs.

Another factor that affects a hail damage insurance claim is the presence of existing damage. This is why it matters to get regular roof inspections by a professional contractor.

It pays to be a proactive and responsible property owner. Maintenance through prompt repairs after a thorough inspection is the way to go.

Insurance Policy Details

Is hail damage to roof covered by insurance? Always make sure to contact your insurance provider to discuss the details of your insurance policy. The insurance company is the one to decide whether to approve the payment for roofing damage by hail.

One of the ways to tell that your roof got hit by hail is to look at other structures. Does your siding have new dents, cracks, or holes?

As a roofing company based in Louisiana, we how devastating hail can be to roofs. The severity of hail damage varies depending on the hail size and wind speed.

The type of roofing material also determines the damage caused by hail. Obviously, low-quality materials have a greater tendency to dent. Manufacturers like Atlas Roofing and GAF feature shingles that resist impact. We use them here at Top Team Roofing & Construction.

Now that we answered the question, “Is hail damage to roof covered by insurance?” let’s explore five signs of damage.

1. Granule Loss

Granule loss happens in areas where hail hit the roofing shingle. Asphalt comes off and ends up in the gutters. You’ll want to check the gutters for the presence of these granules. Granule loss leaves your roof more sensitive to the effects of weather. It is also one of the reasons why a roof leaks.

2. Dents On Other Items Or Components

Just because you don’t see direct granule loss, doesn’t mean your roof is 100% damage-free. Other areas take a direct hit from hail. Be sure to inspect the following for dents:

• HVAC units
• Roofing ridge cap
• Siding
• Metal flashing
• Basically, anything that protrudes

3. Bruising

This happens when hail hits the roofing surface but leaves dents instead of visible marks. Bruising usually happens on asphalt shingle roofs. A roofing contractor feels the roof for depressions or dimples.

4. Cracks

When hailstones strike and are accompanied by strong winds, they tend to leave circular cracks. Cracks are common among asphalt shingles and roof tiles. Sometimes cracks show (because the hailstones were huge), and sometimes they don’t. To be sure, hire a professional roofer to conduct an inspection.

5. Exposed Fiberglass Mat

Hail that fractures a roof shingle causes it to separate from its fiberglass mat. Sometimes, this fiberglass mat also breaks because of the impact. The tears spread from the point of impact.

A Word About Flat Roofing Systems

Damage to flat roofing systems tends to be less obvious than sloped roofs. PVC, TPO, and BUR roofing membranes rarely show signs of damage.

This is why building owners find themselves dealing with major repairs or worse, a roof replacement. If you happen to own a commercial flat roof, again, get a professional inspection immediately.

Take note of some do’s and don’t when filing a hail damage insurance claim.

Again, there is no definitive answer if you ask, “Is hail damage to roof covered by insurance?” because it depends on the insurance provider. But to help you through the process, here are some points to remember.

Do:

• Call the insurance company immediately. Waste no time when it comes to filing a hail damage claim. Roofing damage doesn’t get any smaller!
• Get help from a professional roofing contractor. The contractor will help you file an insurance claim by noting pieces of evidence of hail damage based on the inspection. (Related: The Ultimate Guide on How to Choose a Roofing Contractor)
• Make sure that your roofing contractor is present as the insurance adjuster does the inspection. An adjuster may not be as skilled as a roofing contractor in terms of identifying hail damage.
• Keep all important documentation.

Don’t:

• Go up the roof to inspect it! Simply observe the roof from below or take note of associated damage (dents on equipment or other structures). Also, it’s good to always assume that your roof sustained damage following a hailstorm.
• Assume that hail damage is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Review the manufacturer’s warranty or ask the contractor that installed your roof if the damage is coverable.
• Assume that you can handle the insurance claim process all by yourself. If you’re a busy parent or business owner, and if this is your first time to file a claim, seek professional help.

When hail hits your roof, your best course of action will be to determine if it can be covered by insurance. Filing an insurance claim helps restore your roof as soon as possible. At the same time, you save money or spend less depending on the coverage.

Top Team Roofing & Construction specializes in roofing insurance claims. No, we don’t approve your insurance claim. As a roofing company, we assist you in the process by checking roof damage and working hand-in-hand with the insurance adjuster.

Instead of going through the hassle yourself (and run the risk of getting denied), hire us. We can help.