PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS FOR HAIL AND WIND DAMAGE CLAIMS

Hail and Wind Damage Claims Public Adjusters

Hail storms are all too common in many areas of California, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to cars, homes and other personal property each year. Fortunately, people who suffered property damage from hail and wind damage may be able to obtain insurance compensation for repairs or to replace the property that is a total loss.  

We have the skills, resources, and experience to make the necessary Hail and Wind Damage Claim process simple. Take one less stress off your plate by seeking the help of an experienced public adjuster at PIAC to obtain your settlement. You will have a player on your team who wants to see you receive the highest returns possible. You will work side by side with us to ensure we get you the claim that satisfies you. There will be no confusion. PIAC helps resolve all issues and assist in all processes of your hail and wind damage claim.

Unfortunately, many people believe common myths about hail and wind damage insurance claims. In some cases, believing in these myths causes people to not file insurance claims. 

Below,  we reveal myths and facts about hail damage insurance claims. If you think you suffered property damage in a hail storm, review the facts about these myths so you can make informed decisions about a hail and wind damage claim.

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    Common myths about hail and wind damage insurance claims

    1. Do Not File a Claim for Roof Damage Unless You Can See the Damage

    Some people wrongly assume that there was no damage if they do not see missing shingles. However, shingles are usually taken off a roof by wind, not hail. This is why insurance companies do not use missing shingles as an identifying criterion for hail damage.

    Hail damage to the roof is often difficult to see from the ground. This is why you should have your roof inspected by an insurance adjuster who is trained to identify hail damage. An inspection by a roofer is not good enough because these people are usually not trained in identifying hail damage.

    It is better to have an inspection than to assume there is no roof damage. If you are wrong, the damage could lead to leaks or other problems down the road and you might not be able to obtain insurance compensation for the damage that occurs.

    1. Hail Damage to the Roof is Covered by the Warranty

    This myth is common among people who recently had the roof on their house replaced or people whose houses have roofs that are still under warranty. Unfortunately, hail damage is often excluded from roof warranties offered by contractors, builders, and manufacturers. 

    1. The Roof Sustained Minor Damage So it is Better to Not File a Claim

    You should always report the damage to your roof from hail, no matter how minor it may seem. If you do not deal with the damage now, it could lead to more costly problems later, like leaks.

    1. My Insurance Company Will Cancel My Policy if I File a Claim

    Under the Consumer Bill of Rights adopted by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), homeowner’s insurance companies cannot cancel a policy that has been in effect for 60 days or more unless:

    • You fail to pay your premium on time
    • You file a fraudulent claim
    • There is a determination by TDI that continuing the policy would violate insurance laws
    • There was an increase in the hazard your policy covers, provided the hazard was within your control and caused the policy premium to increase
    1. If I Do Not File a Claim My Rates Will Not Increase

    It is possible that your rates will increase after you file a claim. However, this could be because of factors you cannot control. For instance, if a lot of other homes were damaged in the hail storm, a lot of people will likely file claims. Insurance companies often raise rates when they receive a lot of claims in a short period of time.

     You should not let this deter you from filing a claim because it may be the only way to obtain the compensation you need to be able to repair the damage to your home. You are going to pay the higher premium whether you file a claim or not. However, if you do not file a claim, the higher premium will fund other people’s insurance claims while you get nothing.

    1. The Insurance Company Denied the Claim So I Cannot Obtain Compensation

    In some cases, you are out of luck when the insurance company denies your claim. However, there are other cases where the insurance company denied a perfectly legitimate claim for property damage from hail.

    It is best to meet with an experienced insurance bad faith lawyer to review your situation. It is possible that the insurance company acted in bad faith and you could have more success by filing another claim.

    1. There is a One Year Time Limit for Filing an Insurance Claim

    The time limit for filing claims should be stated in your policy. It is better to double-check your policy than to make an assumption about how much time the insurance company gives you to file a claim.

    If the hail storm was severe enough that there is damage to many homes in a large geographic area, the insurance company could extend the deadline for filing a claim.

    However, you should still file a claim as soon as possible. Waiting could arouse suspicion with the insurance company that you are just trying to get money and your home did not sustain damage.

    1. Insurers Do Not Have to Pay to Replace the Roof

    Sometimes insurance companies say they will only pay to repair the damaged sections of the roof rather than replace the whole thing. In some cases, this is a perfectly legitimate response.

    However, it depends on the details of your policy. The insurance company may be offering to pay for sections of the roof because it costs less than replacing the whole thing.

    It is best to consult an attorney to ensure you receive all of the compensation you deserve. You could void the warranty on the roof by repairing sections of it and not replacing the whole thing.

    1. The Insurance Company Does Not Have to Pay if the Roof Was Improperly Maintained

    This might be true, but you should not take the insurance company’s word for it. The goal of every insurance company is to spend as little as possible on policyholders’ claims. This means they will use every tactic they can think of to deny or devalue your claim, from the insurance company about why it will not pay for repairs to the roof. 

    Our Public Adjusters will give you the best options to get the most money from your hail and wind damage claim. 

    California, call us now at 866-557-8650 for any inquiry on Hail and Wind damage claims, policies, and compensation issues and we will be in touch with you within 24 hours.