Hail storms cause $1 billion in annual damage to crops and property, and this number seems to rise every year. When the sky clears, hundreds of homeowners and business owners with severely damaged property. As a result, they’re forced to deal with the unexpected cost of repair.
Hail often causes significant damage to siding, windows, roofs and other exterior elements of a building. In many instances, the full extent of the damage isn’t visible right away. Many Amarillo homeowners and business owners undergo multiple hail storms before issues become apparent.
When hail damage does occur, the insurance company should cover the cost of any necessary repairs or replacements to your property. Unfortunately, receiving coverage for hail damage isn’t always straightforward. If you have a hail claim denied, take the following steps.
Understand The Reason For The Denial
When an insurance company denies a hail claim, they are required to give a full written explanation for their decision. Review the explanation carefully to ensure you have a good understanding of why they denied your claim.
The written explanation may provide insight into “bad faith” practices, such as:
- The insurance company gave a repair cost estimate far below the estimate of the contractor who looked over the damages. If this is the case, the insurance company may be trying to issue fewer funds than you require to cover the repairs.
- The insurance company attributes another issue to the damage incurred, such as a natural settling of the house, which led to an unstable roof more susceptible to hail damage. An insurance company will use this tactic to try to get out of paying for a repair, blaming the damage on another factor.
If you’ve reviewed the claim and still aren’t sure why it was denied, talk to your insurance company. It is legally obligated to explain your denial.
Examine Your Insurance Policy
Reading through your entire insurance policy will help you understand exactly what your insurance covers. If your policy guarantees coverage for hail damage, your insurance company should be paying for the damage.
Collect All Hail Damage-Related Documentation
Throughout the process of filing a hail insurance claim, keep careful documentation. The more information you can provide, the more likely you are to receive coverage for your damage.
Photograph the hail damage in detail. Hold onto the contractor’s repair estimate, the claim denial, a comprehensive write-up of the damages, including the date and time of the storm, and any other relevant information and paperwork.
Contact An Attorney To Discuss The Claim
Seek out an attorney with experience in and knowledge of insurance denials. During your free initial consultation, the attorney will walk you through your scenario and should be able to determine if you have a case against your insurance company. When insurers deny claims they should be covering, you’re protected. Additionally, even minor hail damage may be costly to repair.
You shouldn’t be responsible for the staggering financial aftermath of a hail storm. Stockard, Johnston, Brown, Netardus & Doyle, P.C. offers a reputable law team with over 75 years of combined legal experience. We are well versed in handling insurance claims for hail damage in the greater Amarillo area. If you’re facing a denied hail insurance claim or have any questions about your claim, contact us today.