- Damage From Hail Storms
- Why Would an Insurance Company Deny Paying for Hail Storm Damages?
- What to Do After a Hail Storm
- Get Knowledgeable Legal Help With Your Claim
- Recovering Maximum Compensation
Hailstones are water drops that freeze high up in the atmosphere and gain mass and speed as they fall to the Earth’s surface. With some hailstones falling as fast as 100 mph, you may suffer significant damages to your home or other property during a storm.
When hail occurs, you will likely file a claim with your insurance company to cover the damage. However, your insurance may deny your claim, leaving you with hefty out-of-pocket expenses for property repairs.
If the insurance company denies your hail damage claim, contact the experienced hail storm damage lawyers at the law office of Nessler & Associates. We can help you file a strong storm damage claim and ensure the company pays you fairly according to your coverage policy.
Damage From Hail Storms
Hail storms are a common phenomenon in the United States. In 2020, 6.2 million properties sustained damage from hail.
A hail storm can cause a great deal of damage to property, including:
- Roof damage such as tears and holes
- Window damage like broken glass and splintered frames
- Garage damage like dented doors
- Dented vehicles and broken car windows
- Outdoor furniture damage
- Damage to external structures such as your house, shed, or porch
In addition, the high winds accompanying a hail storm can down trees and power lines. As a result, a hail storm can be an extremely destructive force that leaves a trail of damage in its wake.
If you live in an area prone to hail storms, it is crucial to take steps to protect your property from widespread damage. For example, you may want to invest in impact-resistant windows and install hurricane shutters on your home. By taking precautions, you can help to minimize the damage caused by a hail storm.
Why Would an Insurance Company Deny Paying for Hail Storm Damages?
After a hail storm, it is not unusual for an insurance company to deny payment for damages. They may use a variety of tactics to avoid paying your hail damage claim.
The insurer may argue that the damage occurred due to wind or rain rather than hail. They may also claim the damage is not severe enough to warrant a claim or that you did not take adequate steps to prevent damage from occurring.
For example, if you did not have your roof inspected before a storm, the insurance company may argue that you should have been aware of the potential for damage.
While these can be valid reasons for an insurance company to deny payment under certain circumstances, it is essential to remember that insurance companies are in business to make money. As such, they will often try to find an excuse to avoid paying a hail damage claim.
If you find yourself in this situation, protect yourself by consulting an experienced attorney who can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Hail Storm
You can take several steps to ensure your hail storm claim process without issues from the insurance company. You increase the chances that the company will pay your claim in full by taking the following actions.
Conduct an Initial Inspection
When the hail storm has passed, conduct an initial inspection to see if there is a need for an insurance claim. Start by checking your gutters for cracks and dents, which could point to potential roof damage. Look around your property to check for other damaged items you may need to include in your claim.
Look Over Your Insurance Policy Language
With your current policy in hand, check for hail storm coverage and familiarize yourself with the terms of your coverage. Determine your deductible, so you know how much you will have to pay towards your total losses. Reviewing your entire policy can help you prepare for the claim-filing process.
Assess the Damage
Document your property damage as accurately as possible to prove that the storm caused the harm. An insurance adjuster may argue that the damage was preexisting, so the provider does not have to pay for costly repairs. Documenting the damage with photographs and videos gives you a better chance of recovering compensation.
Get a Second Opinion
Getting the unbiased opinion of a private contractor or a public adjuster can help you back your insurance claim. Independent damage estimates can establish a cost baseline.
You can compare this independent cost estimate to the insurance company’s assessment. If the insurance company offers you a much lower settlement than the objective cost assessment, it may indicate that the company is acting in bad faith. You can use this information to take the next step of speaking with a property damage attorney.
File an Insurance Claim
Reporting the damage to your insurer will start the claims process as soon as possible. Filing a timely claim is essential in hail damage cases due state statute of limitation laws.
Get Knowledgeable Legal Help With Your Claim
Bad faith practices can keep hail storm victims from recovering the compensation necessary for repairing their homes and businesses and force them to pay thousands of dollars in repairs out-of-pocket.
Having an experienced property damage attorney look over your property insurance policy can increase the chances of the company accepting your initial claim. If your insurance refuses a settlement, your lawyer can help you take legal action to receive the payment you are owed.
Recovering Maximum Compensation
Hail damage insurance claims can be time-consuming and complicated. Your insurance provider may try to deny your valid property damage claim by arguing several points and downplaying your damages.
Our bad faith insurance attorneys at Nessler & Associates will establish the damage to buildings and other items, help you file a strong claim, and ensure the insurance company doesn’t use your lack of experience against you. We can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to for your damages.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything unless you receive payment for your hail storm damage insurance claim. Call our legal team today at (800) 727-8010 to schedule a confidential, free case evaluation.
