Hail Damage to Siding, Gutters and Windows: Checklist

Hail damage to siding, gutters, and windows may be covered by homeowners insurance, depending on the policy and location. Before anything is repaired, photograph every damaged part, cover broken windows or holes to keep rain out, and call your insurer. The step-by-step hail damage guide lays out the same steps in order.

What hail does to siding, gutters and windows

NOAA’s hail basics page says wind-driven hail can tear up siding on houses, break windows and blow into houses. When winds near the ground are strong, hail can fall at an angle or nearly sideways, so walk around the whole house, not only the side facing the storm.

NOAA considers hail the size of a quarter, which is 1 inch across, or larger to be severe. Use this scale to compare what fell on your property:

NOAA says a ruler, calipers or tape measure gives the most accurate size, so if you can still find hail on the ground, set a ruler beside it before you photograph it.

What to photograph before anything is repaired

The Texas storm recovery tips say to take pictures and video of the damage and not to throw anything away until your insurance adjuster says so. Keep a list of the repairs and save every receipt. Missouri’s Department of Insurance adds that you should keep receipts for materials you buy for temporary repairs, so you can be reimbursed.

Which part of my homeowners policy pays for these?

Policies and state rules vary, so treat the Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas and Colorado examples below as how those states handle each point, and check the declarations page of your own policy for what you carry.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s homeowners page describes the dwelling coverage as paying for damage to your house and structures attached to it, including fixtures such as permanently installed cooling systems. Other structures coverage pays for detached structures such as detached garages, sheds, fences and guest houses.

The Virginia homeowners insurance guide lists windstorm, hail and breakage of glass among the perils in its named-peril HO-2 policy. It also says the usual limit for other structures, such as a garage or toolshed that is not attached to the house, is 10% of the dwelling limit.

Texas’s guide also notes that additional living expenses coverage pays if you have to move out while the house is repaired for damage your policy covers. Ask your agent which part of the policy applies to a deck, and check the declarations page, the first page of your policy, for your coverages, dollar limits and deductibles.

Should I repair or replace each item?

Siding

The Colorado Division of Insurance’s hail FAQ says no law requires an insurer to match siding or paint on undamaged sides of a house. The company is only required to repair or replace the actual damage from the covered event. Ask the adjuster to list each damaged panel, and compare that list with your contractor’s bid. Choosing a new siding material is a separate decision, and the exterior siding options guide compares vinyl, fiber cement and wood.

Gutters and downspouts

Ask for each gutter run and each downspout to be listed on the estimate separately, so you can see exactly what is being repaired. For repair or replacement choices, the gutter maintenance and replacement guide covers the types and drainage options.

Windows

Because NOAA says hail can break windows, cover any broken pane with a tarp or board to keep rain out. That is a temporary repair. Hold off on permanent glass work until the adjuster has seen the damage. The window replacement page explains when repair is enough, and the window replacement guide covers frames and installation.

AC condenser

Pennsylvania’s guide lists permanently installed cooling systems under the dwelling coverage, so ask your insurer which part it assigned your condenser to. If the work involves electrical wiring or disconnecting equipment, contact an appropriately licensed professional.

Decks and fences

Pennsylvania places fences under other structures. For decks, ask your agent which part of the policy applies, and get the replacement cost of each item in writing before you agree to a repair scope.

How replacement cost and deductibles change what you receive

The Texas Department of Insurance explains that replacement cost pays to repair or replace at current prices, while actual cash value pays replacement cost minus depreciation. The Texas guide’s example uses a roof; check your policy to see how its deductible and valuation terms apply to your claim.

The Virginia guide says most homeowners policies there carry a $500 deductible, with $1,000 and higher options available. Many insurers also set a separate wind or hail deductible. Some are a flat amount such as $2,000, while others are a percentage of dwelling coverage. In the Virginia example, a 2% deductible on a $200,000 dwelling means you pay the first $4,000 of loss. Check the wind and hail line on your declarations page before you decide whether a repair is worth filing.

What happens after I file a hail claim?

Texas law sets deadlines for insurers. These deadlines may be longer after major disasters. The Texas Department of Insurance says the insurer must tell you it received your claim within 15 days, and it must accept or deny the claim within 15 business days after it has everything it needs from you. A denial must come in writing with the reason.

With a replacement cost policy, most companies pay in two checks. The first comes after the adjuster inspects the damage and is the estimate minus depreciation and your deductible. The second comes after the work is finished and the bill is received. If your mortgage company does not release repair funds within 10 days after receiving the required information, Texas guidance says you can complain to the Texas Attorney General’s Office at 800-252-8011.

Try to be there when the adjuster visits, point out all the damage, and have your contractor present to talk through the estimate. The Texas guide also suggests keeping a record of everyone you speak with at the company.

How do I avoid a contractor scam after a hail storm?

Colorado’s Division of Insurance points to its #NoRoofScams campaign for choosing a contractor after a hail storm. Missouri’s Department of Insurance says to get estimates from contractors you know or who were recommended by someone you trust, and to be suspicious of strangers who offer to do repairs.

• Get several bids and compare them with the adjuster’s report before you settle the claim (Texas guide).
• Do not pay the whole repair bill in advance; pay in full only when the work is completed according to your agreement (Missouri).
• Stay with the contractor during any inspection (Missouri says some companies cause damage to drive up the repair cost).
• Keep proof that you paid your deductible. Texas law makes it illegal for a contractor to offer to waive your deductible or promise a rebate for it.
• Let the adjuster see the damage before any permanent repair, because the insurer may deny the claim if you repair first (Texas guide).

If you hire a public adjuster, Texas requires a TDI license. Public adjusters charge fees, so understand what you will pay before you sign, and they cannot take part in repairing your property.

Is it worth filing a claim for hail damage?

That depends on the repair estimate compared with your deductible, so start with the repair bid and the deductible on your declarations page. Texas’s insurance department says insurers consider your claims history when setting premiums. Colorado’s Division of Insurance says Colorado has no law on non-renewal after hail, but an insurer may consider non-renewing a policy after multiple losses, including hail.

What if the insurer’s payment is too low?

The Texas Department of Insurance lists several options. You can ask the company or adjuster to reconsider. You can use appraisal, which is for disputes about the amount of the claim and not about whether the policy covers the loss. Or you can complain to the department in writing through its online complaint portal, or call its Help Line at 800-252-3439. If the damage was caused by a disaster, you must tell the company in writing at least 61 days before you sue. For claims under $20,000, you can use Justice Court, where you don’t need an attorney but you pay a filing fee. Missouri’s Department of Insurance will review whether an insurer followed state law when processing a claim, and you can reach its Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390.

Hail damage to a car is a separate claim

NOAA’s hail page says hail can damage homes and cars, and that wind-driven hail can break side windows on cars. The Colorado Division of Insurance says the insurer decides whether a car is a total loss, using its own claim process. If the repair cost exceeds a certain percentage of the car’s value, the company finds it a total loss. Payment is based on the car’s actual cash value at the time of loss, and if you owe more on a loan, GAP coverage covers the difference if you bought it. The Colorado definition of a salvage vehicle specifically exempts a total loss from hail. If another hail storm hits the car before repairs, the insurer pays the new damage less the first payment and the deductible. For rebuilt titles, ask your state motor vehicle agency how it treats a hail total loss.

Roof, solar and metal roof questions

Roof damage follows the same claim steps described above. The roof, yard and exterior guide covers the roof itself, and the first 24 hours after a storm checklist covers what to do in the first day.

When should I stop and call a pro?

Use temporary covers only if you can do so safely from stable ground; otherwise, call a professional. Stop and call a licensed pro for any of these: live electrical, structural damage such as a sagging wall or framing, or suspected asbestos or lead.

Before you sign a repair contract

• Put the adjuster’s estimate and your contractor’s bid side by side, in writing.
• Confirm the contractor will not offer to waive or rebate your deductible.
• Agree on a payment schedule that does not require full payment up front.
• Confirm that no permanent repair starts until the insurer has inspected the damage.

Who should I call?

For a full walkthrough of the first days after hail, start with the step-by-step hail damage guide, then return to this checklist when your adjuster sets the scope.

By HomeRemodelingAndRepairs.net Home Research & Editorial Team