Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Most savvy homeowners understand that homeowners insurance can help immensely when covering the costs of home repairs. Still, many of these homeowners don’t have a clear idea of what their policy does and does not cover. For instance, many wonder whether their homeowner’s insurance will cover hail damage. 

The answer to that question is not as straightforward as you might guess, which is why we’ve created this article to help you know what to expect from your insurer after a hailstorm bombards your house. Read on to learn whether insurance covers hail damage and much more. 

How Insurance Policies Typically Deal with Hail Damage

It’s no surprise that an intense hail storm can cause significant damage to your home that requires costly repairs. Fortunately, many homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for hail damage. This coverage can often apply to your home, as well as your cars, and other structures on your property. 

With that said, there are plenty of instances in which a homeowners insurance policy will specifically limit or exclude coverage for hail damage. This is most commonly the case for those who live in areas that are especially prone to hail storms. 

In these areas, it’s best for homeowners to purchase an additional insurance policy that covers hail and wind damage in addition to their typical homeowners insurance. While having multiple policies may seem like a nuisance, seeking out coverage for hail and windstorms is the best decision if severe storms are prevalent where you live. 

What Else Does Homeowners Insurance Usually Cover?

Now that you have an idea of whether your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover hail damage let’s consider some of the many other protections that these insurance agreements usually provide. While individual policies can vary greatly, most will give you coverage for the following:

• Damage to your dwelling
• Damage to personal property within your dwelling
• Medical payments for non-household residents who are injured on your property
• Loss of use costs, i.e., situations in which you need to leave your home while it undergoes repairs
• Other coverages that can be elected in addition to your standard policy

Clearly, homeowners insurance provides a lot of protection when disaster strikes and it is well worth your monthly payments. Still, the next section will show that there are plenty of situations in which homeowners insurance will not provide you with a payout. 

What’s Often Excluded from Homeowners Insurance Coverage?

Purchasing homeowners insurance is a wise decision. Still, it is not an all-encompassing form of financial protection. For instance, most homeowners insurance policies will not cover the following:

• Mold and rot damage
• Damage from rodents, insects, and other pests
• General wear and tear
• Problems that arise from neglecting routine maintenance
• Earthquake and sinkhole damage
• Sewer and sump pump overflow

Again, it’s important to note that every homeowners insurance policy will be different. As such, it’s vital for you to review your policy in-depth before signing it to ensure you understand what it does and does not cover. 

How to File a Claim for Hail Damage

Knowing whether your insurer covers hail damage is not enough to ensure you make full use of your policy. Instead, you must also have an understanding of the insurance claims process. While this process can be complicated, the list below shows the general steps you should take to submit a claim for covered damage:

• Contact your provider to alert them of damage as soon as it occurs
• Record all damage to your home
• Review your policy in detail
• Get an estimate for your necessary repairs
• Submit your insurance claim to your provider
• Meet with your insurance adjuster
• Schedule your repairs once your claim is processed

Who Needs to Worry About Hail Damage the Most?

As a local homeowner, you’re likely wondering what areas of the US get the most hail, and if our dear state of Ohio is included.

Most of the states that span from Wyoming to Texas comprise a region called Hail Alley. During the summer months, these states often experience severe hail storms that result in damage that insurers are not willing to cover. While we’re not totally unfamiliar with hail here in Central Ohio, we fortunately don’t have to worry about hail storms that are nearly as intense, or as prevalent, as our friends to the west.

Hail Damage Prevention

Despite this, dealing with the insurance claim process can cause a lot of headaches, which is why it’s always best to do everything you can to prevent hail damage in the first place. The following precautions can help you minimize that damage:

• Inspect your roof regularly: Inspecting your roof will alert you to defects that require repairs. Keeping up with repairs ensures that your roof remains as sturdy and structurally sound as possible, which will help minimize damage when a strong storm arrives. 
• Trim your trees: A lot of storm damage does not come from the storm itself. Instead, gusts and precipitation can cause trees to break and fall onto your roof, resulting in damage. Trim the trees around your home and ensure that no large limbs hang over your roof to avoid this kind of damage. 
• Use storm shutters: Windows are among the most delicate elements of your home’s exterior. Install storm shutters to keep them protected in even the harshest weather. 
• Keep your car under cover: While many are concerned about their homes during a storm, cars are equally vulnerable. If you want to avoid excessive car damage, it’s best to park under a carport or inside a garage. 

Remember that these tactics will not totally guarantee that your property is safe from hail damage. However, these measures can reduce the damage you receive during a hail storm, which will ultimately reduce the amount you’ll need to pay for repairs. 

Does Your Home Have Hail Damage?

Are you currently facing hail damage to your home? If so, understanding your insurance claim process is a must. However, it’s also important to have a professional team on your side who can provide you with estimates and repairs as needed. 

For all who live in the Columbus, Ohio area and are facing roof damage from a hail storm or any other source, Ascent Roofing Solutions is here to help. We have the experience and skill needed to treat any roofing concern and are happy to provide you with a free estimate as well.