Finance

Why the Insurance Company May Reject Your Hail Damage Claim

Hailstorms can cause some serious damage. If you’ve ever been through one, you know how bad it can get.

Hailstones, especially the big ones, can break windows, dent cars, and even cause cracks in roofs and walls.

For commercial properties, like stores or office buildings, hail can mean thousands of dollars in repairs. The worst part is that sometimes you don’t even see the damage right away. Your roof might look fine at first, but over time, the hail damage can lead to leaks, mold, and structural problems.

Typically, you expect your insurance company to accept the hail damage claim for your commercial property. But if your claim is denied, it could mean more time, money, and stress as you try to figure out what to do next.

All of this can leave you frustrated and overwhelmed. To avoid this situation, it would be best if you simply knew the reasons they could be rejected so you can avoid them.

Pre-existing Damage

One of the major reasons your claim could get denied is if the insurance company thinks the damage was already there before the hailstorm. This is called preexisting damage.

For example, if your roof had a crack or your windows were already weak, the insurance company might say the hail didn’t cause those problems; they were there before.

To avoid this, it’s a good idea to keep records of the condition of your property before any storms happen. That way, you can prove the damage is new and was caused by the hail.

Delaying Before Filing Your Claim

Another common reason for claim rejection is waiting too long to file. After a hailstorm, you should report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to prove that the hail caused the damage.

Some insurance companies even have deadlines for how soon you need to file, so if you miss that window, they could refuse to help.

Failure to Meet Up With Payment Schedule

Your insurance policy is like a contract; you have to keep up with your payments to make sure you’re covered.

If you’ve missed some payments or didn’t pay on time, the insurance company might not have to honor your claim. They could say you weren’t “in good standing” when the hailstorm hit, meaning your insurance wasn’t active at the time.

Always make sure you’re paying your premiums on time, so your coverage is ready when you need it.

Damage Doesn’t Meet the Deductible

A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in.

For example, if your deductible is $1,000, and the hail damage only costs $800 to repair, the insurance company won’t cover it because the damage is less than your deductible.

You have to know what your deductible is, so that you understand how much the repairs need to cost before insurance helps out. If the damage is minor, you might have to handle the repairs yourself.

Hail Didn’t Cause the Damage

Sometimes, insurance companies will say the damage wasn’t actually caused by the hailstorm. They might claim that the damage was from another cause, like wear and tear, old age, or poor maintenance.

If the damage doesn’t clearly look like it was caused by hail (like dents or broken shingles), the insurance company might deny your claim.

This is why it’s important to take photos and get expert inspections right after the storm, so you have proof that hail was the real cause.

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