Thread: Hail damage

Maybe some of you insurance adjusters can help me with this. How many hail dings per sq generally results in a claim?

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Originally Posted by Frank Bombardiere

Maybe some of you insurance adjusters can help me with this. How many hail dings per sq generally results in a claim?

10 impact points per square of shingles is the normal rule. Look at the gutters, windows, vents, HVAC condenser fins and anyting made from soft metal, plastic or vinyl. If they are dented the insurance company will replace them as well.

Companies vary from 7 - 13 hits per square (100 sq. ft of roofing). Adjusters will mark and photograph the amount of hits per square on at least (2) slopes of the roof, sometimes more. Other factors become involved and actually vary across the duration of a claim period.

I advise the following procedure unless you are a General Contractor yourself: Check the property for damage you can easily spot from the ground I do not advise homeowners crawl around on roof surfaces, especially steep ones. There is no need to. Check for dents in metal surfaces such as your mail box, trim pieces, gutters and downspouts. Check for hits (dis-colorization) on wood surfaces such as decks and fences. Check A/C coils for imprints.

It costs you nothing to file a claim. When in doubt, file a claim, If there is damage in your area or you see neighbors homes being inspected, file a claim. Find a General Contractor experienced in insurance claims, capable of performing all repairs on your property (not just a roof), and have them there to converse with the adjuster day of inspection. This is the absolute best and most cost effective way to deal with hail damage. Have your "pro" meet their "pro". *Hint - inquire how to offset your deductible through an advertising arrangement with your contractor.

Royce - claimimpact@gmail.com

Originally Posted by Royce Barry

It costs you nothing to file a claim. When in doubt, file a claim, If there is damage in your area or you see neighbors homes being inspected, file a claim. Find a General Contractor experienced in insurance claims, capable of performing all repairs on your property (not just a roof), and have them there to converse with the adjuster day of inspection. This is the absolute best and most cost effective way to deal with hail damage. Have your "pro" meet their "pro". *Hint - inquire how to offset your deductible through an advertising arrangement with your contractor.

Royce - claimimpact@gmail.com

It is true that it might not "Cost" you anything to file a claim, but the insurance company still looks at it as a "Claim" and it can have an impact on you if you file too many claims. All claims regardless of payout are considered a to be a claim. The insurance company still has to pay the adjuster, so even this small amount is considered to be a loss. A little know fact that is not widely disclosed.

I suppose that "he who cries wolf" every time it clouds up would eventual cause a review by a carrier. That certainly is understandable and is known. But there should be no doubt in a policy holder's mind to file a claim if there is any evidence of damage, as I had stated.

A carrier cannot jack with your policy because you file a claim based on legitimate concern. There are legal ways to deal with that should it occur, however I have never seen it happen in 20 years of dealing with catastrophic claims. Let's keep in mind here we are talking about catastrophic damage, and not a claim for something that could have been prevented with proper maintenance. Catastrophic claims follow a geographical area where known damage has occurred. Filing a claim in such circumstances is not damaging to you in any way. You pay premiums to protect your property. The insurance company works for you. There is no "penalty" for putting them to work.

I have been an insurance adjuster for almost 25 yrs.
There is no "set" number of hits per square required for replacement of a roof.
It all depends on whether the shingle is a 3-tab 20yr, 30-yr, 40 yr, etc.
Age and condition also factor in.
The number of shingles (not tabs) that require replacement in a square, times the cost per shingle to repair versus the cost to replace all the shingles in a square is the real test as to whether the damage warrants replacement of the roof or a repair.

This is as clear as mud, right??

Thanks for letting me lurk here on the forum. It is a GREAT source of information!
I am considering trying to obtain my inspector license in Texas, but realize there is a great deal to know. You guys are very knowledgeable!!

It's my opinion that roofs often do not need replacement after hail storms. But, people being the greedy animal that they are can't pass up on a "free" roof.
After a storm a few years ago, people ran to their carriers and got paid for "damage." They then went and got a lowball contractor to put on new shingles and siding and then pocketed the difference.

The result was these people had well functioning systems ripped off and new ones improperly installed by BillieBob who was no longer to be found to make repairs after the jobs were completed.

Since the severe hail storms in April, Knoxville has been invaded by hundreds of out of State roofers.
I seen enough poorly installed roofs in the past few months to last a lifetime.

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

Since the severe hail storms in April, Knoxville has been invaded by hundreds of out of State roofers.
I seen enough poorly installed roofs in the past few months to last a lifetime.

Jack, just wait until next year after a full rainy season and see all the water stains & sheathing damage in those attics.

I know this post is fairly old but anyway.About 85% of my volume is insurance related.It solely depends on the insurer.Typically 10 in 10.,but several insurers(I have no idea about posting restrictions on this site about insurers names) have as little as 9-10 per slope.The most strict I have been with was 20 per.,so it really depends on the provider/claim history as well as existing damage.

Lots of the insured think that since they have dings on vents/gutters/flashings etc that the roof must be totaled.Not true.Those components are made from soft metals and obviously they dent and ding and take much less abuse than say steel siding or a roof system.

By the time the insurer covers those soft metals the deductible eats up any funds issued.That makes it pointless to burn a claim for soft metals.IMO

Originally Posted by Eric Barker

It's my opinion that roofs often do not need replacement after hail storms. But, people being the greedy animal that they are can't pass up on a "free" roof.
After a storm a few years ago, people ran to their carriers and got paid for "damage." They then went and got a lowball contractor to put on new shingles and siding and then pocketed the difference.

The result was these people had well functioning systems ripped off and new ones improperly installed by BillieBob who was no longer to be found to make repairs after the jobs were completed.

Jack F.,I could not agree with you more.After the May 22nd Joplin F5 I have seen enough stormers who do this type of work that you speak of to make me puke.

Eric B. if a roof system sustains any sizable (.50 depending on density of the hail) hail damage it can,does and will in time accelerate the deterioration process and develop material failure resulting in water penetration which in turn equals interior damage.

So as long as you have coverage,legitimate damage. I recommend having the roof installed by a qualified roofing contractor.They are out there.What is important is to take your time in the selection process.

I must say that not all legitimate licensed,bonded and fully insured stormers are hacks.But I myself would never hire one personally.But that is nothing to slander the honest ones either.

If a massive hailstorm hits a populated city of 150,000 and they have at the minimum 200 contractors but by the time you eliminate 75 of those that started up after the storm hit your down to 125.Eliminate 50% just because of other disqualifying issues.,it is impossible for the remaining contractors to handle the work load they are soon to be swamped with.

Eric B.,Jack F. Please don't misunderstand me and get offended.,I am honestly behind you 100% storms bring out the worst in homeowners and contractors.