What the Hail? A Homeowners Guide Hail Damage

What the Hail? A Homeowners Guide Hail Damage

Got Hail? Why a Homeowner Should Be Concerned

Homeowners Guide Hail Damage: Why You Should Check Your Roof

Homeowners Guide Hail Damage: Hail damage is never fun and almost always causes damage to your property. While most home insurance companies do cover hail damage, there is a deductible that must be paid before insurance will kick in. Hail varies in size, and the size will determine the extent of the potential harm. Small pea sized hail may not cause much destruction, and the damage may not be enough to reach your deductible. It is best to have a professional roofing company inspect your roof before filing a hail claim to prevent unnecessary claims.

Hail, alone, or from a hail storm, can wreak havoc on your shingles, siding, or gutters without showing any visible signs from the ground. Golf ball sized hail usually causes the most damage to roofs.

If the hail is driven by high winds or lasts more than a few minutes, your roof will begin to lose its protective granules. This will significantly reduce the life of your roof. Hail is also known to dent siding, gutters, and fascia. This type of damage is tough to see unless the light is just right. It would be a smart decision to have the exterior of your home inspected along with the roof.

Does hail damage affect home insurance premiums?

Hail damage can indeed impact your home insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider the frequency and severity of hailstorms in your area when determining your rates. If your region is prone to hail damage, your home insurance premiums may be higher to offset the increased risk of claims. Additionally, filing claims for hail damage can affect your claims history, potentially leading to further rate increases. However, many insurance carriers offer discounts for hail-resistant roofing materials or home upgrades, which can help mitigate the impact on your premiums.

• Factors affecting home insurance premiums due to hail damage:
  • Frequency of hailstorms
  • Severity of hail damage
  • Claims history
  • Home upgrades for hail resistance

Comparison of Home Insurance Premiums After Hail Damage:

Insurance Company	Average Premium Increase
State Mutual	$20 per month
Allstate subsidiary	$25 per month
Bristol West	$30 per month
National General	$35 per month
Suncoast	$40 per month

Investing in hail-resistant measures for your home can help lower the impact of hail damage on your home insurance premiums.

Homeowners Guide Hail Damage: Assailants that cause the most damage to your roof shingles

• HAIL-Loss of granule layer on the shingle will expose the organic-based center of the shingle to the sun’s UV rays. UV exposure causes severe deterioration of the shingle in a short period. Furthermore, hail can puncture or cause severe roof damage.

• HIGH WINDS-Over 50 miles per hour winds can lift the shingle, causing seals to break, and lose their tightness. The unsealed shingles will flutter in the breeze, eventually snapping off.

• VENTILATION-Improper or inadequate ventilation in your attic will cause the shingles to scorch and bubble up causing a severe problem.

Call a trained professional to inspect and verify the extent of the damages. They will help you determine whether your damage is weather related or normal wear and tear. Your insurance company will not cover normal wear and tear

Homeowners Guide Hail Damage: Signs you may have damage

• The roof- Time for a roof inspection! Roofs are hard to access, but unrepaired hail roof damage leads to roof leaks and further interior damage. Cracks or holes are not the only signs of hail damage. Asphalt shingles will show hail damage as dark spots from the surface grains being knocked off. Shingles lost from wind damage will allow damage to the underlayment as well. Slate and shake shingles may chip or crack due to hail.

• The windows-The sheer force of winds from a hail producing storm can force the hail sideways, causing window damage or breakage. Aside from looking for cracks in the glazing, inspect the seal around the window for damage. If the damage is left unchecked, the seals will deteriorate, allowing the invasion of moisture and other elements.

• Home siding- If high winds are present this makes your siding extremely susceptible to hail damage, dents, nicks, and cracks are the result of hail damage to siding. Aluminum siding will have dents from hail damage, while painted exteriors often show discoloration and chipping. Even stucco is susceptible to hail damage.

Besides the obvious damage to your home, look around the outside for any signs of damage to exterior features such as sheds, carports and air conditioning units.

Best ways to protect yourself against hail damage

Homeowners Guide Hail Damage: Unless you have mastered the art of controlling the weather, you must consider taking steps that decrease the potential of future loss caused by hail to homes.

1. Invest in hail-resistant roofing– If you are upgrading your roof before hail season hits or merely renovating, be sure to invest in impact-resistant materials. These roofs tend to pay for themselves over time. An affordable option is to use modified asphalt shingles that are resistant to extreme weather. The rubber-like qualities of the shingle help protect your roof from high winds and hail. Shingles made from resin, plastic, aluminum, or copper may offer even more protection but come at a higher cost. These upgraded materials may extend the life of your roof. Also reducing the need to file a hail claim on your homeowner’s policy. What’s more, many insurance companies offer savings for homeowners who maintain weather-resistant roofs.

2. Use storm shutters -It does not take giant hailstones to cause significant damage to your exterior windows. Continuous pelting by pebble-sized hailstones can create chips, cracks, and even gaping holes. Acting as a sturdy barrier storm shutters are a great way to safeguard glass. No time to install shutters before a hailstorm hits? Try using plywood to cover your windows to prevent damage.

3. Shelter your lawn furniture-Lawn furniture, umbrellas; tabletops are susceptible to damage from high winds and hail. However, most homeowner’s insurance covers your personal property if it needs repair or replacement due to a covered risk such as hail. Nevertheless, save yourself some heartache and bring any lawn furniture into a safe space such as a garage, a storage shed, or under a carport.

4. Secure, dependable homeowners insurance-Reliable financial protection against hail damage and a whole host of other perils does not have to cost an arm and a leg. We work with many companies to offer you affordable homeowners insurance that safeguards the structure of your home, your belongings, and even your liability. Moreover, in the event, your home is uninhabitable our policy will pay for you to stay somewhere else while repairs to your hail ravaged house are made.