Hailstorm Damage Claim: Everything You Need To Know

What to Do If You Have a Hailstorm Damage Claim

In certain parts of the country, hailstorms are a common weather event. Indeed, some hailstorms have chunks of hail the size of golf balls (or larger) falling from the sky. Unfortunately, falling hail can cause thousands of dollars of damage to roofs and other parts of homes and commercial buildings. As a result, if you have a hailstorm damage claim, there are several steps you should take to make sure your hailstorm damage claim is processed quickly and to your satisfaction.

A Hailstorm Has Hit Your Area-What Should You Do First?

If you went through a powerful hail storm, and you think hail damaged your home or commercial building, get out your camera. Certainly, you should walk around the building to see if the storm has caused property damage. Specifically, check for damage to the roof of your home or building.

Therefore, take as many pictures as you think necessary to reflect the damages to your property. Remember, hail is ice, and it is going to melt.

Consequently, put a ruler on the ground among hail stones before they melt. Additionally, take photos of the damage to the roof. Moreover, take photos of the storm- damaged windows, doors or other structures on the property.

Contact a Roofing Contractor for Your Hailstorm Damage Claim

If there is damage to your roof, you may need to make immediate repairs. Under your insurance policy, additional damages caused by later storms, such as water leaking through holes on the roof, may not be covered by your insurance company if you failed to repair the damages caused by the hailstorm.

Therefore, contact a roofing contractor. Have them inspect your roof and get a written estimate for the repair or replacement of your roof. You will give the estimate to the insurance company.

File a Hailstorm Damage Claim with Your Insurance Company

Once you have determined there is damage to your property from the hailstorm, file a hailstorm damage claim with your insurance company. Of course, include information on the time and date of the hailstorm.

Additionally, send them all the photos you took of your damaged property. Include any repair or replacement estimates you have. Insurance companies want to see proof of the damages. Therefore, give them all the proof you have!

The Insurance Company Will Send an Insurance Adjuster Who Works for Them to Inspect Your Damaged Property

Early in the hailstorm damage claim process, the insurance company will send an insurance adjuster to inspect your damaged home or business. For instance, the adjuster may be a company adjuster. As a matter of fact, a company adjuster is a salaried employee of the insurance company.
Alternatively, they may send an independent adjuster. An independent adjuster is not an employee of the insurance company. However, he or his firm only works for insurance companies. In addition, they get paid by insurance companies to provide their adjuster services.

To clarify, company adjusters and independent adjusters never work for property owners.

An insurance company may use an independent adjuster for a large damage claim. Or they may use independent adjusters if a hurricane damages property across multiple counties or states.

In any event, company adjusters and independent adjusters know that insurance companies are not in the business to make generous damage claim settlements. Rather, they know the insurer will pay as little as possible to settle a hailstorm property damage claim.

First, keep notes as the company adjuster makes his inspection. Second, show him your damaged property. Third, note how long the inspection takes and what parts of your property the adjuster looks at.

Do You Need a Public Adjuster?

For small damage claims (under $10,000), probably not.

However, if you have a large damage claim, a public adjuster can make sure the insurance company settles your claim for the full amount of money to which you are entitled. Unlike the company adjusters and independent adjusters, public adjusters only work for property owners.

In addition, the state in which they work licenses them. Frequently, they previously worked as adjusters for insurance companies. As a result, they know how insurance companies handle the property claim process.

Public Adjusters Work for You!

Public adjusters will collect the documents and information you will need to submit to the insurance company with your claim. In addition, they will coordinate with any contractors to make sure your damaged roof or building is rebuilt properly.

Moreover, public adjusters will also negotiate with the insurance company to make sure the insurance company pays you the full amount due to you.
And you don’t pay the public adjuster until they settle your claim. He gets paid a percentage of your settlement. Typically, that percentage is between 10 and 20 percent of the settlement. You and the public adjuster will agree on the percentage when you hire the adjuster.

If You Need a Public Adjuster for a Hailstorm Damage Claim Call AllCity Adjusting

To begin with, we are a family-owned claims company. Additionally, we have five decades of combined adjusting experience. As a result, if there’s one thing we understand, it’s that you need 100% of your claim value.

Insurance companies undervalue your claim 8 out of 10 times. Moreover, they hire expensive adjusters to ensure they maintain a strong profit margin. Additionally, they have experienced actuaries on staff. They create insurance agency guidelines that help their team of agents challenge your insurance claim’s validity.

Of course, you have already gone through a tumultuous event. For this reason, get an agency that gets you more.

At AllCity Adjusting we work to ensure you get 100% of your claim value. Equally important, with over 50 years of combined adjusting experience, we know insurance companies and understand where they cut corners. Moreover, we help you build a larger claim and get you back to normal fast. Don’t get fooled. Instead, get the company that gets you more.

If you have received a low-ball offer from the insurance company, or you just want to talk to someone on your side, call us at 844.692.3587.

Alternatively, you can email us at info@allcityadhjusting.com.