Getting The Most Out Of A Hail Damage Claim In Florida
Hail can affect homes in a variety of ways. This can depend on the pitch of the roof, the type of shingles installed, the roof’s age, wear and tear, and other factors. In a severe storm, it may not matter how well your roof is protected – damage can still occur that involves costly repairs and a claim to your insurer.
Examples of damage caused by hail to homes may include:
- Removal of shingles from roof
- Cracks or holes in flat roofs
- Granule loss in asphalt shingles
- Splitting of shingles
- Damage to exterior paint
- Damage to siding and gutters
- Broken windows
- Damage to air conditioner units
Hail storms can occur with little or no warning, leaving homeowners without an opportunity to protect property or board up windows in advance. Within minutes, you can be looking at a costly restoration project for your home.
To make sure you are fairly compensated under your insurance policy, there are certain key steps you can take after a hail storm:
- Take pictures as soon as possible after the incident. Accurate pictures with time stamps shortly after a storm can be useful when those pictures may be needed days, weeks, or months down the road.
- Do not try to self-repair exterior damage if you believe an insurance claim will be needed. Leave it to the professionals and follow your insurance company’s recommendations. You will need to itemize all costs in case you need to reference them in the future.
- Review your policy coverage. Make sure you have a clear idea of your rights to claim for hail damage under your insurance policy, including deductible amounts and deadlines for notifying your insurer of a claim.
You also want to check and make sure your insurance policy covers a full roof replacement when requirements are met, not just payment for depreciated value. According to a recent report, Florida insurers are pushing insurance plans with reduced roof coverage, or reducing coverage as part of homeowners’ renewals. Failure to read the fine print on these provisions could lead to an unwelcome surprise when it is time to file a claim after hail damage.
There are other factors that can complicate a hail damage claim. Some of these include:
- Other Claimants: Hail damage does not happen in isolation; the greater the number of people affected by hail damage, the greater the risk that your insurance company will take longer to process your claim;
- Time: Each insurance company has its own time requirements for filing a claim, so it is important to double check the details of your policy and find out the deadline for making a hail damage claim;
- Nature of the Insurance Industry: The business model of insurance discourages insurance companies from paying every claim after a catastrophic event because if they did, they could go bankrupt. Insurers are notorious for denying hail damage claims, alleging that the damage was caused by some other event, or normal wear and tear.
If you’ve taken all proper measures and your insurer is still playing games or delaying payment on much-needed repairs after a hail storm, you may need to consult an attorney that can expedite matters and protect your rights under your insurance policy.
Our Daytona Beach Property Damage Insurance Lawyers Can Help
Contact the experienced Daytona Beach hail damage insurance claim lawyers at Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A. as they know what steps must be taken to prove a hail damage insurance claim and pursue the full benefits owed to you under your policy. They can help you as they have done with others throughout Florida, Volusia County, Flagler County and Brevard Counties. Call or contact our Daytona Beach property damage attorneys online today and request a consultation to protect your rights when filing a claim.