Collecting For Hail Damage in Minnesota – July 17,2010

Hail damage claims in Minnesota are one of the most common types of insurance claims. What does this mean for you? A major disadvantage – your insurance company is better prepared to overcome the choice to replace your roof, siding, windows etc. Because insurance companies have years of experience in this process, your insurance company has a well developed plan of attack to minimize your settlement.

If there is obvious damage like holes or dents the process is certainly smoother. But in most cases, hail damage is not cut and dry. More often than not the decision to replace a roof comes down to the judgment call of an insurance adjuster. One thing is certain, once the adjuster decides you have little or no damage, it’s difficult to change his or her mind. To overcome this, one requires a deep understanding of the physics of hail. Specifically the wind effects on hail, general direction of the storm, size of hail stones, and relative hardness of hail stones.  Below is a basic outline to follow if you are not sure how to begin your hail damage claim process if you’re not sure what to do. If you are beyond this stage, simply use this info as a quick checklist.

Find your insurance policy.
Find the Declarations Page, and find the heading Forms and Endorsements. Review your specific policy details for wind and hail damage. Make note of your claims hotline phone number.

Report the loss.
Call the claim hotline – and have the date and time of the storm ready, along with the general areas you have damage.

Preserve the important evidence.
If possible, gather and save anything can prove important details, such as the size of hail stones. We recommend saving and freezing these just in case. Fallen tree limbs, wind driven debris is also good to accumulate to help justify damages found after clean-up.

Take photos of your property in its worst condition.
Before you clean up, take photos the mess. Take them with perspective of evident markings. Take close up photos of the debris and damage. Have two sets of prints made, the adjuster will probably take one with them.

Arrange for temporary repairs if needed.
Take the needed steps to prevent further damage or water intrusion to your property. Your insurance company will compensate you for this, as its more than likely a requirement of your insurance policy. Take every measure to temporarily repair major damage to your home. Save receipts and documentation to receive compensation.

Keep track of your time and expenses.
Keep receipts and records of your time and money spent on the clean up and or temporary repairs.

Select a qualified storm damage restoration company.
Obtain a written inspection and ask for their help and commitment through the entire process. A local experienced hail damage firm has been through the process many times before, look for company with knowledge, resources and experience in specifically handling insurance claims.

We know claims – call for honest, professional hail damage claim management. (763) 746-4913