How Much Does Insurance Pay for Hail Damage?

Springtime hail storms can come on suddenly in Texas, producing hailstones from the size of a dime to a golf ball and wreaking havoc on your car and house’s roof. Your insurance policy can often cover the hail damage, allowing you to quickly make repairs before your roof starts leaking.

Most Texas insurance carriers require prompt notice of any damage. However, even with a timely claim, you may encounter bad-faith insurance practices. A property damage attorney can ensure you get the hail damage coverage you’re entitled to.

Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Yes, your homeowner’s insurance policy should cover hail damage to the roof, as well as the structure of your house and any other structures on your property. Your policy should also cover hail damage to siding, windows, gutters, and outdoor hardscaping. And some policies may have separate hail damage coverage for “other structures”.

Certain property or car insurance policies have a special deductible or limits on hail damage coverage, so read your policy carefully to determine your limits of yours. If you’ve recently moved to Texas, keep in mind that summertime hail storms can be frequent and damaging, so you may want to have higher hail damage coverage limits.

How Does Hail Damage Insurance Work? Texas Hail Damage Deductibles

The Insurance Information Institute recommends that policyholders file a claim with their insurance carrier as soon as possible after hail damage. When you file a claim, take your photos or a video of the hail damage. Although an insurance adjuster assesses the damage and makes estimates, it’s best to have your records for the hail damage insurance claim.

There are a few good reasons to file a claim fast. First, after a hail storm, thousands of homeowners will likely be filing similar claims; if you are at the end of the line to have it investigated and approved, you run the risk of a roof leak because the hail damage wasn’t fixed in time.

Secondly, there is a deadline to have your insurance cover hail damage, usually within one year of the date of the hail damage. This deadline may also determine whether your car insurance covers hail damage repair costs for a hail-damaged car.

Once you file the claim, you first pay the deductible on your plan to have your homeowner's insurance cover the balance of the hail damage repair. A deductible is what you must pay before your insurance coverage to fix hail damage kicks in.

Homeowners insurance policy deductibles differ from those you may be used to for health insurance - the deductible amount is applied to each claim, not a total to be paid for the entire year. You may need to ask your insurance provider how your car insurance covers hail repairs.

Average Insurance Payout to Fix Hail Damage

According to State Farm, the average insurance payout for hail damage was $12,000 in 2021, while the average auto insurance hail damage claim was $5,000. Texas topped the list at $710 million, the highest amount of claims filed. The next-highest state, Minnesota, was a distant second - $253 million.

Hail Damage Claim and Loss Statistics

Here are some additional statistics about hail damage to put your damage claim amount into perspective:

• The amount that State Farm paid to cover hail damage increased by over $1 billion from 2021 to 2022 for two reasons - an increase in damage claims and the effects of inflation;
• The number of claims filed in 2022 increased by more than 45,000 over 2021;
• The average claim increased by about $2,000 from 2021 to 2022 due in part to inflation and supply chain issues.

The insurance claim numbers are even more staggering as an aggregate. These numbers show:

• $3.5 billion in total for hail damage;
• $2.9 billion for homeowners insurance hail damage claims;
• $600 million for auto insurance hail claims.

Only people with comprehensive car insurance have auto insurance covering hail damage and paintless dent repair.

Top 10 States for Hail Claims in 2022

1. Minnesota - $799M
2. Texas - $510M
3. Arkansas - $231M
4. Illinois - $225M
5. Nebraska - $212M
6. Wisconsin - $194M
7. Iowa - $131M
8. Colorado - $129M
9. Oklahoma - $126M
10. South Dakota - $79M

Do Hail Damage Claims Impact Your Premium?

Many homeowners worry that filing an insurance claim for hail damage will raise their premiums, which could be a legitimate concern for many. Fortunately, hail damage isn’t considered negligence, which is the most commonly cited reason for a home insurance premium to increase. Hail damage is considered an act of nature.

This means that a homeowner's insurance provider is unlikely to raise your premiums after a hail storm. However, if you file another home insurance claim within three years of the hail damage claim, you may see a premium increase. Many companies will raise your monthly premiums after a second claim is filed within three years, no matter the cause.

How Can You Prepare?

You can never tell when a severe thunderstorm will start producing hail, but it’s generally more likely in the spring and early summer months. There are a few things you can do to protect your home and family, however, such as:

• Review your policy to see how your insurance covers hail damage, including your car insurance policy;
• Understand the process for filing a claim, so if you do need repairs right away, your claim isn’t denied or delayed due to errors;
• Keep updated with severe weather alerts, and stay inside during weather threats;
• Take photos and videos of the exterior of your house and property, creating a detailed record to help you identify damage easier.

Finally, when a storm looms, prepare your home. Bring vehicles into your garage, move your patio furniture, put tarps over landscaping, and keep your blinds and curtains closed to prevent injuries if a window breaks.

How to File a Claim for Hail Damage

Your homeowner’s insurance policy contains a comprehensive coverage portion that covers the house's exterior, such as the roof, windows, and gutters. Each insurance provider operates under its terms, but in general, expect your comprehensive insurance hail damage claim to involve several key steps.

Replacement roof cost policies pay to replace a damaged roof based on the recent construction costs in your area, while an “actual cash value” policy decreases the amount paid for the claim based on the age of the roof. For example, suppose that replacing a 10-year-old roof costs $30,000, and your policy has a $3,000 deductible.

If you have a replacement policy, then the insurance company will pay the $27,000 difference. However, if you have an actual cash value policy, then the insurance company will pay the difference, minus the depreciation of a roof over 10 years. If your roof depreciates by half, your carrier will pay $12,500, and you’ll be responsible for the rest of the repair cost.

When you have a replacement policy, you may see two payments from the insurance company. The first payment is for the true cash value of your roof, which would be its value minus the depreciation — in this example, $12,500. Once the roof is replaced, the insurance company pays the balance, subtracting your deductible from the cost.

To file a claim, you will likely need to:

1. Document all damage, take photos, and measure the size of the hail;
2. Submit your claim according to the policy directions; you may be able to do this online, but you will need your policy number;
3. Speak with an insurance adjuster about your current coverage and the next steps you need to take;
4. Get an estimate for repairs from a trusted roofing contractor - three or four if possible, so you get a better idea of what the final cost will be;
5. Do not hire anyone or sign a contract to repair the damage until your insurance company sends an adjuster to inspect the damage.

Some roofing contractors will meet with your insurance adjuster on your behalf. You’ll usually get a fairer assessment, and the contractor will ensure that no damage is overlooked. After the adjuster values your claim, your insurance company releases the funds, so you can have your roof repaired.

What to Do If Your Hail Damage Claim Was Denied

Has your car or home been damaged in a recent McAllen hail storm? A property and car insurance claim attorney from Omar Ochoa Law Firm can help you file a claim with your insurance company, appeal a denied or undervalued comprehensive coverage claim, or litigate on your behalf in cases of bad-faith insurance practices.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our McAllen property damage lawyers today!