Hail Damage Attorneys

Hail Damage Attorneys

Hail damage can cause major harm to homes, cars, and other property. The incidence of hail damage is becoming far more common in the United States today than it once was. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the number of insurance claims filed due to hail damage increased eighty-four percent between 2010 and 2012. Approximately two million claims were filed due to hail damage between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012.

Filing a Hail Damage Claim

After a hail storm, hail damage may not be immediately obvious. Property owners must be diligent about checking the roof, foliage, and windows for evidence of hail damage. If a hail damage claim is not filed within a specified amount of time, the hail damage claim may not be covered. If damage is discovered, the property owner should document the extent of the damage as thoroughly as possible. Taking pictures is advised to gather a visual record of the damage. The insurance company should be contacted next.

The insurance company will typically send out an insurance adjuster to inspect and record the damage, determining an estimated cost of repair. Property owners should wait until the insurance adjuster has done an inspection to begin minor repairs, to avoid discrepancies in damage reports. Insurance companies will usually take into consideration repairs that must be fixed immediately to avoid further damage, and may allow an advance to assist with costs. Property owners should save all receipts for records.

San Antonio Hail Damage Attorneys

If a property owner is denied a hail damage claim that was believed to be covered, an attorney should be contacted. An attorney will be able to determine if an insurance company intentionally supplied misleading information that caused the property owner to believe that the hail damage would be covered. An attorney will be able to give guidance about possible legal avenues to award the property owner any rightful compensation for the damage.