Hail Damage FAQs

Not all hail leaves visible damage, and not all visible damage is obvious to the untrained eye. Hailstones can bruise shingles, dent or crack siding and other exterior components of your house like trim capping and guttering, often in ways that aren’t easily seen from the ground or without the proper lighting. The best way to find out is to schedule a professional inspection from a trusted, local contractor who is experienced with storm damage and has a track record in your area.

It depends on your policy and the extent of the damage. If enough of the roof or siding is damaged, most homeowner policies cover full replacement, minus your deductible. However, this is usually determined by an adjuster’s inspection—which is why it’s important to have a knowledgeable contractor inspect your home beforehand and be present during the adjuster meeting.

​A denied claim doesn’t always mean the end of the road. Sometimes damage is missed or not properly documented. A reputable contractor can help you request a reinspection, present evidence, and guide you through the process of appealing the decision. Also important to remember is that your claim outcome rests primarily on the extent of the damage sustained. If your house has sustained damage for which you have coverage and your insurance company acts in good faith, an outright denial is unlikely. Its important for you to kmow that if you work with us at JP Construction and your claim does ultimately get denied, we simply won't do the work. You're not on the hook for amyrhing

This can happen when an adjuster determines the damage is only "partial." In some cases, however, replacing just part of a roof or siding creates mismatches and inconsistencies. Your contractor can help submit a supplement request for full replacement if the partial fix would violate building codes or compromise the aesthetic continuity of your home. There is also sometimes disagreement about the extent of damage sustained, in which case a knowledgeable contractor can submit pictures to substantiate a more complete approval. A reinspection can also be requested and will typically be honored by the carrier.

Generally, hail claims fall under "Act of God" events and therefore often don't directly affect your rates. However, if an entire region files claims, premiums could rise for everyone—regardless of whether you file. Therefore, whether you submit a claim or not, your rates will likely go up. So in a sense, if you don't submit a claim, you'll be paying in the future for your neighbor's new roof or siding, reaping no benefits of your own. And, if you just do the math, no rate hike could ever realistically disincentivize the value of getting a new roof or new siding through insurance. Even for smaller houses, a new roof will likely cost close to $10,000 and much more for new siding. Therefore, it almost always makes more financial sense to use your insurance for legitimate storm damage than to pay out of pocket. But, again, it all comes down to the damage. This is why getting a proper inspection beforehand is so key.

A complete roof replacement usually includes:

• Tear-off of old shingles

• Ice and water shield along the eaves, in valleys, and other vulnerable areas

• Synthetic underlayment

• Starter shingles

• Architectural shingles

• Ridge vent

• Ridge cap shingles

• Pipe flashing

• Step, apron, chimney, and other flashing as needed

• Drip edge

• It should also include cleanup and magnet sweeps for nails. A reputable contractor will explain every component and ensure your new roof meets or exceeds local code and is installed correctly. Lean more about proper roof replacement here. (Link will open in a new window.)

Siding replacement typically includes:

• Tear-off and disposal of old siding

• Installation of house wrap or weather barrier

• New premium vinyl siding

• Starter strips, corner posts, and finishing trims

• Vents, light blocks, and j-channel trims around windows and doors

• ​Resetting shutters, downspouts, light fixtures and other elements installed on the siding 

• It should also include cleanup and manual nail pick-up (siding nails aren't magnetic). A reputable contractor will explain every component and ensure your new siding installation meets or exceeds local code and is installed correctly. Learn more about what to expect when getting your siding replaced here. (Link will open in a new window.)

Rotted or water-soaked wood that can be linked to the storm damage in question can be covered under the insurance claim. This is much more likely to be the case with wind damage where, say, roofing shingles blew off and exposed the wood sheathing to the elements. However, with most hail damage claims, wood replacement would not be covered on that basis since hail will generally not cause immediate water penetration. A roof inspection can help reveal if any of the sheathing is rotted or water-soaked as it will feel soft and spongy in those areas. In our experience, the necessity for wood replacement when replacing a roof is rare and even when it's necessary, it's limited to a few pieces.  Water damage behind siding is rarer still. Something to keep in mind is that, if there is any water damage or signs of leakage, whatever is causing it will be solved with proper replacement.

​Trim capping (the metal wrapping around fascia and door/window trim) is often damaged in a storm but overlooked by adjusters. If dented or creased, it should be replaced. Your contractor can help document and include this in the claim if it was missed initially. Trim capping can also be included in a claim if it is determined to be attached to or installed on top of the siding in a way that damaging it during the removal of the siding is inevitable. Again, this is where having an experienced contractor at your side comes in handy.

Shutters are a commonly overlooked item. Even if only one shutter is damaged, it may be impossible to match due to fading and discontinued styles. A good contractor will document the damage and argue for full set replacement for aesthetic consistency. That said, most shutters don't get damage from hail unless they are aluminum or very brittle. Getting new shutters is the most common "add-on" that many customers opt to spring for when getting their siding replaced through insurance. Also, since the shutters that are installed on the siding will need to be removed during the installation, another option is to paint them before having them reinstalled. 

Yes! Insurance covers the material and scope of work, not the color. As long as the material type stays the same (or is similar), you can choose a new color and profile when you replace your roof or siding. It’s a great opportunity to update your home’s curb appeal. Considerations when deciding your new color are the matching of other exterior components of your home (doors, shutters, trim, etc.), the style of your home, the general aesthetic of your neighborhood, and the colors of the homes that are closest to yours. Some HOAs may have certain restrictions or an application process, so be sure to check with them before finalizing your choice, but most HOAs we've worked with are relatively easy-going. See examples of siding colors here. (Link will open in a new window.)

Only if there’s damage—but that’s the key question. You should never file blindly. Instead, start with a free, no-obligation inspection from a trusted contractor. If damage is found, they can help you decide whether a claim makes sense and walk you through the process with confidence. JP Construction has been performing hail damage restoration services in Maryland and Pennsylvania since 2005. Most times, our inspections reveal damage that's worse than the customer suspected. But there are times that we've told the customer that their damage was minimal and therefore does not warrant a claim. Whatever the case, you want to get educated before going down this road. Read more about hail damage claims here. (Link will open in a new window.) 

​The most important factor in which contractor you go with is trust. Choose a contractor who is experienced, has worked in your community, is fully credentialed, has excellent references, and will be around long after the job is done. At JP Construction Services, we’ve earned our reputation by putting homeowners first—before, during, and after the storm. Let us help you make the right decisions for your home. If you live within our service area and were affected by a recent hail or wind storm, call us now at (877) 846-9566, or schedule your free inspection online.