Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Insurance hazards, such as fire, theft, wind, and hail, are included in standard homeowner policies. Perils include things like theft, fire, or a storm that could cause damage to your property. How much peril coverage you have depends on what kind of house insurance policy you bought. Fire, lightning, theft, ice, snow, sleet, and freezing, for instance, are all common insurance risks.

Some insurance companies do not cover "cosmetic damage" or "aesthetic impairment" caused by hail, even if hail damage is covered by conventional homes insurance. According to the Claims Journal, Cosmetic damage is damage that affects the appearance of your home but does not affect its functionality. When hail dents your roof but doesn't allow water inside your home, it may be cosmetic damage.

If you live in a state with a lot of hail, you may need to purchase supplementary windstorm insurance to cover the damage caused by hail. See if you need windstorm insurance and how much hail coverage you have via your homeowner's insurance company.

Homeowners insurance does not cover hail damage to your car. Contact your insurance company if your vehicle is damaged by hail. In most cases, comprehensive car insurance is required.

Perils that aren't covered by homeowners insurance include flooding and earthquakes, government seizures and mudslides, ordinance revisions, sewer back-ups, and sinkholes. An additional rider policy will be needed to cover these additional expenses.

Coverage from a windstorm?

Windstorm insurance adds to your home's policy, not a substitute for it.

Hurricanes and tornadoes produce high winds and hail. In normal homeowners policies, wind and hail are included as specified risks. Most insurers, in many cases, require an additional high-coverage windstorm rider and a separate deductible if you live near coastal areas.

Windstorm coverage is regional, so premiums will vary accordingly based on the location of the storm. Your deductible is calculated as a proportion of your insurance policy's total value.

Depending on the state, supplementary windstorm insurance may be required to cover hail damage.

Insurance Information Institute (III) data shows that hail claims were highest in the following states:

• Texas
• Colorado
• Nebraska
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Illinois
• Missouri
• The state of NC
• Iowa
• Indiana

What is the cost of windstorm insurance?

As an add-on rider to your homeowners' insurance, windstorm insurance may be necessary if you reside in an area prone to hail storms. The price varies by region and will be in addition to the cost of homeowner's insurance.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average yearly homeowners' insurance premium in the United States in 2017 was $1,211. (NAIC).

Quotes aren't available online since windstorm coverage is only available in select places. There are varying estimates of the average cost of windstorm insurance in Texas (TWIA). The total cost, including insurance, would be $2,911.00.

What to do if hail has damaged your property

Remaining in contact with your insurance carrier after a disaster and following the following steps when submitting insurance claims are recommended.

Make a timely claim with your insurance company. If you're a homeowner, your carrier may be able to supply you with a list of contractors and advise on how to avoid further damage on your own. You should also notify your landlord or property management firm if you are a renter.

When disposing of or cleaning up a damaged item, take photos of it first.

Be wary of tradesmen who overcharge and swindle you at your door. Contractors should be able to provide proof of their licensing and insurance to avoid scams. For renters, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the building and structure.

Protect your property from further harm.

If something doesn't feel right or doesn't appear safe, don't do it. A condition of homeowner's insurance is to stop further losses. Focus on a short-term fix rather than a long-term one so that insurance can get proper access to a competent repair.