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A hail storm, such as the one that went through Blaine and Coon Rapids this summer, doesn’t automatically guarantee your insurance company will pay out for damages. If your claim was denied, there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing more and more of your neighbors getting their roofing, siding and windows replaced. If you feel your denial was in error, here are some steps to take for approval.

 

Review Your Policy

This should be done regularly, but most homeowners don’t think of their policy until emergency situations. You may have signed your policy when the skies were sunny not thinking about the amount of damage a storm could bring. You may have elected for a high deductible, or an Actual Cash Value policy in which depreciation lowers the amount your insurance company covers. So take a good, detailed look at your policy again, and ask your agent questions.

 

Understand the Denial

Your insurance company is required to send a formal letter citing why your claim was denied, as well as the section of your policy corresponding to the denial. Compare this reason with your policy. Is there a misunderstanding about a word? Did you make an error filing the claim? Was there insufficient evidence of the damage? If the reason is not abundantly clear in your denial, call your insurance adjuster for clarification.

Misfiling a claim should be a simple fix: get help from your agent or insurance company support on how to file properly. If there’s a misunderstanding over coverage or a word, again, get assistance from your agent. 

However, gathering evidence to support your claim is a detailed and intensive process, one a qualified restoration consultant can take on for you. In the aftermath of a big storm, adjusters are climbing on dozens of roofs each day, and working very long hours. They may have been tired when they inspected your home. It’s very easy for them to miss finer details, or be rushed when filing their report.

 

Next Steps

The best next step to take is a reinspection from a qualified roofing professional who can measure, photograph and document the amount of damage your home sustained. This representative should be on-site when an adjuster comes back out to your house to inspect. While a contractor can’t attest to your insurance coverage, or argue with your adjuster over the scope of the work, they can offer their expertise in the degree of damage to your roofing and siding, and point out things the adjuster may have missed the first time. A second look may be all it takes to get your claim approved.

In cases where the denial stands but you feel your claim is justified, you can file an appeal, or take it to a third-party regulatory agency in your state—typically an insurance commission.

But, as with most things in life, prevention is always the best protection. If you live in an area that sees frequent hail storms, such as Minnesota, go over your policy to ensure you have the best coverage for your climate, and that you understand the limits of your coverage. And hire a reputable, knowledgeable roofing professional for your first storm inspection immediately after the storm hits, so your claim is one of the first filed.