Hail activity usually happens during the spring and the summer. However, one can expect hail during the thunderstorm season.
If you’ve experienced a hailstorm, and are yet reeling under its impact, the first thing to do is take a tour of your home and its exteriors to check if any damage has happened due to the storm. Hail damage can be challenging to detect and many homeowners realize this oversight after it’s too late. Then they cannot file a storm damage claim with their insurance company. Hail damage after a storm can have a lasting impact so you should immediately consult a storm damage repair contractor or a public adjuster
You will know that you have hail damage by observing the most prominent visual signs that appear on roofs, siding, gutters, and windows but these vary depending on the materials used.
Roofs – Hail opens up the underlying felt of shingles, and dents become visible on the exterior surface. The damage is different depending on the construction material. Asphalt shingles will appear shiny and wooden ones are likely to split and warp. If your roofing is made from soft metals such as aluminum and copper, you may find dents that are equal to the hailstones in size. Even roofs made with concrete tiles could get damaged by strong winds that carry large hailstones at a terrific speed. You need to conduct a brittle test to determine if the roof damage can be repaired or if it qualifies for a total roof replacement.
Siding – Cracking, chipping and holes are the most common signs of hail damage to both vinyl and aluminum siding of your home.
Gutters made of aluminum or copper show evidence of hail damage through dents. Some may show signs of cuts and fractures as they are made from vinyl.
Windows – Storm winds heavily laden with hail causes glass windows to shatter and may even damage window seals.
Hailstorms often dent exterior appliances like AC / HVAC units. These may appear to be superficial; however, if the damage runs deeper, which means that the unit’s condenser coils are compromised, then it may stop functioning, and you may require expensive repairs.
You should be aware that certain insurance companies follow stringent deadlines for filing claims after hailstorms. At times like this, it’s prudent to hire the services of a reputed public adjuster to help you. This professional will document the loss, take photographs, provide guidance, confer with the insurer, engineers, and construction experts. Most importantly, your adjuster will negotiate for the maximum settlement possible.
You may not have the required expertise to assess the damage accurately, so there is a chance that all the damage may not be accounted for and you may receive a less than fair claim settlement. Those who have a public adjuster firmly on their side, find that their services are worth the effort expended in dealing with an insurance claim adjuster. Hiring the services of a public adjuster will bring you savings in terms of time and money.
To file a hail damage insurance claim, contact us at Experienced Public Adjusters.