Hail is one of the most destructive types of weather. Every year, hail causes a wide variety of damage to homes, vehicles and businesses across the country. Without proper training, assessing hail damage can be difficult. Before you call your insurance company to file a claim, call your agent at Lakeside Insurance Brokers first!
Has my roof been damaged by hail?
Shingles may react differently when struck by hail. For example, hail damage to asphalt and composition shingles may look very different than hail damage to wood shingles. The main characteristics of hail damage to asphalt and composition shingles include:
- Random damage with no discernable pattern
- Hail hits that are black in color
- Asphalt and/or mat that appears shiny
- Hail hits that are soft to the touch, like the bruise on an apple
The main characteristics of hail damage to wood shingles include:
- Random damage with no discernable pattern
- A split in the shingle that is brown/orange in color
- A split in the shingle that has sharp corners and edges
- A split in the shingle that has little to no deterioration at the edges
- Impact marks or dents along the splits
Other types of damage to shingles may be mistaken for hail damage. For example, exposure to inclement weather and sunlight makes shingles brittle and gives them an aged appearance. This normal wear and tear of shingles, which is sometimes misidentified as hail damage, may also include:
- Blistering
- Flaking
- Cracking
- Algae
Manufacturing defects and mechanical imperfections in shingles may also be mistaken for hail damage, so call us before you make a claim.
Did you car get nailed by hail damage?
Standard insurance policies, also known as collision insurance, won’t cover the body damage done by hail stones, because it didn’t happen during a car accident. That's why we recommend also having comprehensive coverage in order to have your hail damage covered. You may still have to pay a deductible, but if the damage is more than your deductible, it's saving you money.
Is just your windshield cracked or damaged? Call Lakeside Insurance Brokers to check to see if your insurance policy includes glass coverage. If it does, you may be covered and might not have to pay a deductible.
If your vehicle has dozen of tiny dents, you have a few options.
- Leave it alone - the damage is most likely cosmetic. If you're planning to drive the car to the junkyard when it's ready, don't worry about it.
- If you're looking to resell your car at some point in the future it's probably best to get the dents fixed so it doesn't cost you money in a sale.
- Call Lakeside Insurance Brokers and ask about your next steps and get a recommended mechanic in your area to have your vehicle inspected and a repair quote prepared for you.
While we hope hail does not damage your property or your vehicle, springs and summer storms will likely bring hail. Remember to call Lakeside Insurance Brokers first so we can help you through the process of repair!
