Storms

All You Need to Know About Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claims

Hailstorm is one of the most destructive natural events – therefore a pricey roof hail damage insurance claim. It can bore holes to your roof, smash windows of cars, and hurt people who happen to be outdoors. But when it’s time to file for a claim, it can be tricky to land the right payout.

Year in and year out, the U.S. faces strong hailstorms. This translates to almost $1 billion of commercial and residential damages. So how can you secure a decent payment? Here are some things to know:

Proper inspection

When it comes to hail damage roof insurance, it’s important that you get your property inspected properly. Hire a reliable contractor experienced in handling a hail damage inspection checklist. This way, you can get an accurate cost needed for replacements or repairs. It’s not enough that you see large holes. A professional inspector will see deeper damages that may cost more. If you own a business establishment, it’s pressing to invest in the proper inspection.

File early

Never wait another week before you contact your insurer. The longer you let the damages lingering, the more chances the insurer will reduce the payout amount. Even if you’re not sure if there are serious damages, it’s better to report it to the insurance company. Through that, the adjuster can take a look which will allow you to arrive in an early settlement. Also, the late filing will raise suspicion on the insurer’s part. They will think that you’re trying to rig the claim.

Know when to repair and replace

When it comes to deciding whether to repair or replace, never trust the recommendation of the insurance company adjuster. Sure thing, they will go to the cheapest option of patching the roof instead of replacing the cracked tiles. Always ask the opinion of a contractor and a public adjuster. These two people will guide you on what to demand from your insurer.

Always take photographs in different angles together with other documentation.

What if I get denied?

A lot of hailstorm claims get denied due to a variety of reasons. If ever you’re caught in the situation, always prepare to appeal the denial. Most insurance companies reward insurers who can come up with the cheapest and fastest settlement. And since hail damage is costly, this makes sense why a denial is likely to happen.

The help of public adjusters

When it comes to hail damage roof car and home, a public adjuster will be a big help. This person will fight to get the right payment for your damaged property. Like the adjusters from your insurance company, public adjusters will run their own inspection. More likely, they will discover more damages that require a bigger amount for repairs.

After that, the public adjuster will help you document and appeal the denial. They are knowledgeable on the ins and outs of insurance policies. If you’re not familiar with the technicalities, a public adjuster would be worth hiring.

Assurant Insurance

Professional help will make roof hail damage insurance claim easier to settle. Also, public adjusters and contractors will ensure that you’re getting the right payment for the exact damages.

Hurricane Season Preparedness

According to the National Weather Center, it is useful to organize your hurricane season preparation in stages

Stage 1: Determine your risk
No matter if you live on the coastline or inland you need to evaluate your risk. It should include rip currents and large waves, floods, heavy rain, and strong winds. Before hurricane season starts, check your coverage with your insurance agent.
Stage 2: Work on a plan
Depending where you live, prepare a plan for evacuation. Decide where will you go and strategize your route to evacuate. This stage also includes a plan for your pet.
Stage 3: Prepare your supplies
Remember to have food, water, medication, and basic supplies for at least 3 days. Have radios, batteries, and chargers handy.
Stage 4: Strengthen your home
Collect loose items outside your house, trim trees, cover your windows in advance to hurricane arrival or shop for hurricane windows. Find a safe place for your car
Stage 5: Be a good neighbor
Offer help and assist them if they need it
Stage 6: Let the members of your family know the plan and also notify friends where will you be in case a hurricane hit

Be prepared. Hurricane season is here

Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims

Just as it is no stranger to water damage, South Florida is also highly susceptible to Hurricane, or Storm damage, given the tropical climate. Though the greatest portion of damage will come from water damage, which can do things such as rot wood, rust steel, and de-laminate plywood, wind damage, mold, collision damage from debris such as trees, and even loss of food by spoilage due to electrical outages are also damages that are, or should be, covered in hurricane insurance. Any property insurance plans in tropical, coastal areas, particularly in South Florida, usually includes a process to submit hurricane damage insurance claims, similar to what you would do for submitting water damage claims:

Acquire a copy of your insurance contract to ensure that there are no disagreements over the language of your plan.
Until the insurance company and the claimant have come to an agreement about the scope of the damage, mitigate, don’t repair the water damage.
Document the damage, take as many pictures as you can, and where possible save samples of damaged drywall or other affected surfaces.
If your insurance adjuster does not utilize thermal or infrared imaging, or moisture mapping technology then you should consider hiring a public adjuster who does.
Obtain your own estimates of the repair costs, three independent estimates from contractors are a good start.
If your claim is not settled within 45 days, you can and must demand an explanation why.
If your insurance company is unresponsive, consider contacting a public insurance adjuster.

An important aspect to consider is what to do in the case of an absolute emergency forces the individual or family to abandon the home. If the claimaints are forced to evacuate due to the dangerous conditions, they may not have grabbed essentials like toiletries or clothes for school and work, and so may, and should, ask for an advance against the ultimate hurricane insurance claim to hold them over until the claim is finally resolved, and these living costs should be recorded.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Season precautions and preparedness

Advice for when a storm strikes

Hurricane preparedness is not only about insurance claims. There are many additional factors to consider. Here is a short list.

1. Understand Your Insurance Policy: It is very important, especially now that we are in the Hurricane season, to understand the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. You need to know what is covered and what is not. Don’t wait until the last minute, before the arrival of a hurricane or a big storm, because you won’t be able to get an insurance, not even adjust your current one

2. Take Care of Yourself: Before, during, and after a hurricane can be very dangerous. The first days and weeks after a storm are the most dangerous period. Injuries as consequence of falling from ladders, or by high tension cables snapping during storms and falling to the ground are possible. Be very careful

3. Avoid Scams: When disasters strike, some individuals might try to take advantage of you. Be aware of scammers. If you need to file an insurance claim, it is a good idea to do it with the help of a licensed public adjusters.

4. Get to know your neighbors: We are stronger as a community than as individuals. The more you share with others in your community, the more likely it will help ensure a recovery free of scams and frauds.

5. Have a plan: Your strategy must be specific to your environment, your community, your home, and your business. Plan ahead and have all your insurance information in a safe place

Storm Damage Assessment

Chubb Insurance

Once you assess the Storm Damage on your home, it’s time to call Gold Coast Public Adjusters. Storm damage claims can come from any number of storms. Hail, wind, flood, hurricane, and tornado all constitute as storm damage claims. Document the damage around the house like shingles, doors, or siding. Property Insurance claims help you cover the damage.

Got Struck?

Farm Bureau Insurance

Damage caused by lightning is mostly produced by the strike. This damage may not be immediately apparent. Damage to appliances, electronics, and overall electrical infrastructure of your home or business is where most of the common issues are found. Once the damage is identified and measured, the homeowner or business owner could suffer a bigger loss than initially anticipated.

Lightning Damage

Lightning Damage can be extremely costly. They can destroy motherboards of expensive computers, break down hard drives and even cause fires. Standard Home Insurance policies should cover damage related to lightning strikes, this can include Fire Damage that can stem from the lightning. Make sure you know how you are covered.

Don’t forget to give Gold Coast Public Adjusters a call if you have Property Damage that you need to dispute. 754-444-7411

Hurricane Damage Insurance

Remember that insurance companies are turning a profit. Their goal is to close your claim without paying more than the bare minimum. If you’ve experienced Hurricane damage, it’s possible your insurance company may attempt to pinpoint what caused the damage. Hurricanes can cause floods, wind damage, damage from fallen trees, etc. Make sure your policy covers all of this if you live in an area that is highly prone to hurricanes.