Home insurance claim?

Question

We just had a hail storm. Golf ball sized hail. Our bathroom skylight now has a hole in it from the hail. I would imagine we probably have some roof damage too. Should we file a claim? What are the disadvantages to filing?

Answer 1

Well, you need to get the estimate first, to see if the cost to repair is going to exceed your deductible.   Beware of roofing estimates - the roofers are pretty sure to say, sure! you need a new roof!  because they are trying to sell you a roof.  The insurance company will only replaced damaged parts - You'd see dents in the shingles, or in the flashing.

Biggest problem - you file a tiny claim, but it still counts against you, and if you file too many (usually 2 in three years) you can get cancelled for claims.

Answer 2

File a claim.  That's exactly what it is for.  It shouldn't impact your premium much if at all.

Answer 3

This is exactly what homeowners insurance is for.

Go ahead and get the hole covered to prevent further damage.  If you can't do it yourself, it's ok to call a roofer. Save the receipt for the cost.   If you do it yourself, save your receipts for the materials. It's ok to mail a tarp down if you need to.  Usually you have to put a board over the tarp and nail both into the roof decking.  You won't hurt the decking (the shingles are held on by nails too).

Hail that large may have also damaged the fascia, gutters, window screens, landscape lights.

You want to turn the claim in early.  If the storm caused enough damage, your insurance company will bring in help from other areas to work the claims. Even with the extra help, in a bad storm it can still take several weeks before an adjuster is able to inspect your home.  So go ahead and get your claim in so it can be part of the stack.

If the hail was big enough to break your skylight....it probably damaged the shingles too.  If it was little pea sized hail, I'd say have a roofer check it first. But if it was golf ball sized and is breaking windows.....go ahead and turn in the claim.

In the mean time,  take steps to prevent further damage.

If the cars were damaged and you have comprehensive coverage on them, go ahead and turn those claims in too.

After a big storm, you really have to watch out for roofers and repair companies. They start to price gouge. Your insurance company will pay a fair price and will probably raise the rates they are paying. But they do not owe a roofer what ever he wants to charge. The roofers are entitled to an increase (supply and demand) but they can't pull the chair up to the buffet!  You may have to talk with several roofers before you get one that's not being greedy.

Your agent and claims office will be able to give you the names of roofing companies in your area with a good reputation. You don't have to use them, but that's a good place to start.

Also beware.....after big storms....all kinds of roofers come in from out of state (chasing the storms). Some are honest.....and  some are not.  I've heard of roofers just stopping....climbing up on your roof and patching it - with out you hiring them....and then come down and hand you a bill.

Answer 4

By all means file.  That is what you pay for every year.

Past summer our home was hit by lightening. Put in a claim and pleased how simple it was.

Answer 5

Why wouldn't you file a claim???? Golf ball sized hail can destroy your roof. I always hear people say, "Don't file an insurance claim unless it's something major." Well, this is one of those major events. Your not going to get cancelled because of a hail storm, so don't worry about it. But, just think......if it's bad enough to put a hole in your skylight, it's bad enough to cause some serious damage to your roof. ABSOLUTELY FILE A CLAIM!!!