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Hail Damage Claims Under Homeowner’s Insurance in Ohio

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Hail and Ohio go hand in hand. Thunderstorms bring the icy precipitation, and the impact can be astonishing.

One infamous storm in June 2007 once brought four-inch hail to Akron, leading to more than 51,000 insurance claims in Summit County and $290 million in damages, according to National Weather Service summaries.

Hail can occur any time of year in Ohio, although it’s most common in spring and early summer. Ice pellets form when raindrops are swept up into the higher, colder layers of thunderstorms, and they freeze.

As more water droplets attach, the pellets grow—sometimes getting as big as grapefruits by the time they hit the ground.

Hail can wreak havoc on a home. Roofs, siding and gutters are ripped up.

Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover hail damage. So, you can restore your house back to its original condition and put this mess behind you.

Insurance for hail is closely tied to wind damage coverage. Insurance will pay for repairs to a house, garage or shed—as long as those buildings are included in your policy.

But you may run into trouble when it comes to collecting an insurance payment because insurance companies are also in business to make money. Paying an expensive repair bill on a hail-damaged house impacts their bottom line.

They may try to prove that your hail damage was a pre-existing problem and not eligible for coverage. They may argue that they only need to replace a few shingles or boards rather than the whole roof or outer wall.

They may even include an exclusion in your policy that gets them off the hook for hail damage.

When a homeowner’s insurance company tries to slide out of its obligations, a skilled insurance lawyer can help you fight for what you paid for.

At Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal (HNB), we’ve helped Ohioans win millions in awards and settlements, including against homeowner’s insurance companies after major hailstorms.

If you live in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, or anywhere in Ohio, we can help. After a hailstorm, we want you to say, “Helping Me, That’s HNB.”

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    How Insurance Companies Fight Hail Damage Claims

    Responding to the impact of a hailstorm seems straightforward: Your home was damaged, you have coverage under your insurance policy, your insurance company pays for the repairs.

    Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Every case is unique, and insurance companies will look for every way possible to minimize cost.

    One common tactic they use is to argue that damage existed before the hailstorm and is therefore ineligible for compensation.

    Now, there are customers who lump existing damage into a new claim to save money. Insurance companies are looking for this. The problem comes when they shut down legitimate claims.

    The best defense is preparation. Having a copy of your insurance company’s inspection report from before the damage occurred will go a long way to diffusing an argument about pre-existing damage.

    Homeowner’s insurance companies may also look to avoid replacing roofs or entire exterior walls in favor of making spot repairs to cut down the price tag.

    Ohio, however, has a law that demands repairs match the existing structure. When a roof is repaired, for example, the quality, condition, and appearance of the shingles must match the existing roof.

    If they don’t, the homeowner can argue the entire roof must be replaced to the same quality as the former roof.

    Many homeowner’s insurance policies now have clauses that exclude claims for cosmetic damage. In other words, if a hailstorm has nicked and scraped your home, but it didn’t impact the functionality of your roof or your walls, the insurance company can deny your claim.

    When your homeowner’s insurance company leaves you frustrated and holding the bill for hail damage, don’t give up.

    At HNB Law, our storm hail damage attorneys have been through our share of hailstorms with Ohio homeowners, and we have a track record of fighting for what’s fair for you.

    We’ll assess your hail damage claim for free.

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    How to Build a Successful Claim for Property Damage from Hail

    The best way to prevent trouble from your homeowner’s insurance company after a hailstorm is to get ready for a fight—with the hope that you’ll never need to.

    Some insurance companies might be reasonable. But they also can be skeptical about hail damage claims.

    There are steps you can take to improve the chances your claim is successful.

    When the weather clears, take clear photos of your property. Take notes of all the areas that were damaged.

    Review your insurance policy, noting any exclusions and the exact language of hail damage coverage.

    Contact your insurance carrier to get the claims process started promptly, but also have your hail damage lawyer advise you so you don’t mistakenly say something that jeopardizes your claim.

    Get several repair or replacement estimates from reputable, licensed contractors.

    Make time for the insurance adjuster so you’re there when they assess the damage.

    Once you get an offer from your insurance company, have an experienced attorney look over the settlement.

    At HNB, we’ve helped many Ohioans review insurance offers. We will not hesitate to take the steps necessary to get you everything you need from your coverage so you can get your home back in order.

    We handle appeals, and if we have to we can take the insurance company to court to increase your award or fight a denial.

    Contact us as soon as you can in the claims process. HNB will be your advocate to rebuild from this hailstorm and move on.

    Call HNB Today