Hail storms can wreak havoc on your home. The falling balls of ice can rain down for seconds or minutes and cause substantial damage.
While many insurance policies cover hail damage, it is not necessarily always the case. In a state like Florida, where homeowners may experience a myriad of dangerous weather conditions, hail coverage may not pay adequately to cover all the damage. Find out how insurance companies may get around covering this type of weather event.
Hail is a part of another wind event
Florida homeowners may need extra coverage for things such as hurricanes and floods. When a hail storm occurs as a part of another weather event, the insurer may reject the claim. For instance, if the hail occurs during another wind event, you may have to abide by the coverage dictated by special coverage. Additional coverage, such as that for hurricanes, usually comes with a higher deductible due to the damage these powerhouses may cause. Thus, if your hail damage coincides with one of these separate events, those policies may apply rather than your primary coverage.
The damage sustained is cosmetic
If the language of the primary policy covers hail damage, it does not necessarily mean the insurer will pay out. Adjusters may not approve a new roof due only to hail damage unless it creates enough damage to compromise the roof. The same goes for window damage. If there is no threat of a failure, the adjuster may not approve the repairs. You may have to pay for all the repairs or accept that your home will have cosmetic damage.
Your home is your most significant investment. Keeping it free of damage, cosmetic or otherwise, keeps the value intact and will help your family in the future.