Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover My Storm Damaged Siding?
As a homeowner, protecting your investment is a top priority. When it comes to your home's exterior, weather-related siding damage and gradual fading are inevitable concerns, but fortunately, most insurance policies offer coverage for these instances.
Types of new siding damage that insurance typically covers include hail or wind damage, smoke or fire damage, vandalism, and water damage from a bursted pipe. Coverage may vary based on the specifics of your policy and the extent of damage. If your siding has normal wear-and-tear, it likely will not be covered.
Keep in mind that some insurance policies require a claim to be submitted within a certain timeframe of the event, so you could be denied if you wait too long.
Not sure how the insurance claim process works?
Navigating insurance claims for storm damage can be overwhelming, but with our expertise, we aim to provide practical guidance to homeowners in this process. Using the following insights will help you through every step of your insurance claim journey. You can reach out to us to help you though this process as well.
Review your insurance policy:
Getting familiar with your insurance policy will help you throughout this process. This will help you understand what is covered and what is not. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover storm damage like wind and hail, but every policy is different.
Assess the damage:
Take a thorough look at your siding, noting any cracks, dents, or missing pieces caused by the storm. Document the damage with photos or videos - it will be your trusty evidence when filing a claim.
Contact your insurance provider:
Reach out to your insurance provider once you've assessed the damage and reviewed your policy. They'll guide you through the next steps, which might include scheduling and inspection by an adjuster.
Work with an adjuster:
When the adjuster arrives, they will inspect your siding for any noticeable damage. It is a good idea to walk with them to make sure they are seeing the damage you have found as well. If the adjuster finds adequate evidence to support a claim, they will issue you a settlement.
Pick your contractor:
Finding a trustworthy contractor that has experience with insurance claims is important in this process. Often times, contractors will find damage or other items that the insurance adjuster did not account for. Having an experienced contractor inspect your siding and create a report will provide more documentation to help build you case.
Review your settlement:
After the adjuster issues you a settlement, review it carefully to ensure it covers the repair or replacement costs. Most of the time, your insurance company will only send you a partial payment until the repairs are made. If you are unsure if your insurance covers a full replacement, you can talk to your trusted contractor or ask the adjuster for verification.
Use the initial settlement as a down payment:
After you've received your initial settlement, you can pay your contractor as a down payment. This will allow your contractor to schedule your home for repairs.
Give your invoice to your insurance company:
After repairs have been made, our contractor will issue a complete invoice. It is important for the homeowner to give the insurance company the invoice so they can release the rest of the funds. The homeowner will receive the check minus the deductible. You will then need to pay the contractor the rest of your settlement along with your deductible.
Post Repair Inspection:
It is important for a homeowner to walk around their home with their contractor after repairs have been made. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and assure you are satisfied with your project.
A couple of disclaimers:
Contractors can not pay your deductible, as doing so is committing insurance fraud.
Going with the cheapest contractor does not mean you will end up pocketing more money from your insurance company.
Have more questions about the insurance process or ready to get started? Call Element Exteriors today for your free storm damage assessment and quote.