Does Insurance Cover Roof Hail Damage in Wisconsin?

A hailstorm just rolled through your neighborhood. Now, you might be wondering: Does insurance cover roof hail damage?

Wisconsin’s weather can be unpredictable. Hailstorms, specifically, are very common, with around 20 to 30 events yearly throughout the state. Such prevalence makes knowing how to deal with hail damage roof insurance claims crucial to protecting your home and finances.

Let’s break down the intricacies of roof hail damage insurance in Wisconsin, including coverage and navigating the claims process, to help you stay informed.

How Roof Hail Damage Insurance Works in Wisconsin

Homeowner’s insurance policies in Wisconsin are designed to provide comprehensive protection against various risks homeowners face, including hailstorms. These policies generally cover damage to your house’s structure and personal property.

Still, your coverage will depend on your policy. Some Wisconsin-specific factors also affect your policy’s coverage, such as if you’re within the state’s a storm zone or if the damage isn’t due to hail but to ice dams from poor property maintenance.

What’s Typically Covered (and What’s Not)

To answer your question “Does insurance cover roof hail damage?”—Yes, it does, but take note of these coverage limits to help you plan ahead and maximize your payouts.

Covered

• Structural Repairs: Hail damage that compromises your roof’s structural integrity, including sizable leaks and dents, is generally covered.
• Roof Replacement: If the damaged portion of your roof is too extensive to repair, your insurance company might pay for a full replacement.
• Associated Damage: This covers hail damage that has impacted other parts of your home, such as its windows and siding.

Not Covered

• Pre-Existing Wear: Leaks, dents, and other problems stemming from regular wear or previous storms are outside the coverage of hail roof damage insurance.
• Damage from Poor Maintenance: If you don’t keep up with maintenance and your roof sustains damage from a hailstorm, you may be ineligible to file a claim.
• Cosmetic-Only Damage: Hail damage that only affects your roof’s appearance and doesn’t alter its function is often excluded from insurance policies.

Are you unsure whether a homeowner’s insurance claim covers your roof damage? To be certain, it’s best to refer to your policy or consult with an insurance adjuster ASAP.

How to Tell If Your Roof Has Hail Damage

Examine your roof after a hailstorm. If you detect any of these issues, it’s time to schedule an inspection to determine your next step.

• Cracked, missing, or dented shingles
• Leaks and water stains
• Bruised granules
• Dented or sagging gutters
• Cracked or shattered skylights

An inspection allows you to determine the full extent of the damage. That said, be sure to get a professional inspection from a trusted roofing contractor to ensure no stone is left unturned.

Filing a Hail Damage Claim in Wisconsin

Once you are sure that your roof endured recent hail storm damage, it’s time to file your roof insurance claim in Madison. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you get started.

1. Document Visible Damage: Evaluate your home immediately after the hail storm for any apparent damage, from cracked windows to dented gutters.
2. Schedule a Professional Inspection: Doing so gives you an accurate damage assessment—a document crucial to supporting your claims.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company: Once you complete the forms, evidence, and other relevant paperwork, you should contact your insurer and file a claim.
4. Meet with Your Contractor and Adjuster: Here, you (and your contractor) and the insurance adjuster will negotiate the facts of your claim and the payout amount.
5. Approve Repair or Replacement Work: Did your claim get approved? If so, it’s time to schedule your roof restoration to protect your home from subsequent storms.

Most importantly, act fast to document your losses and get your much-needed payout before your claim deadline. You’ll find this date in your insurance policy, after which you won’t be able to file further claims for hail damage.

Why Work With a Local Roofing Contractor Like Storm Guard Roofing and Construction

Working with a local roofing contractor like Storm Guard Roofing and Construction to fix your roof allows you to leverage our years of expertise in any project.

Our trained roofing specialists understand Wisconsin’s weather patterns and building codes. This gives us a good idea of how different roof types and styles protect your property from the elements in your specific location within the state.

Even better, we provide free inspections and will help you negotiate with insurance adjusters to maximize your payout. When your claim gets approved, you can trust us to perform top-quality roof repairs in Madison to whip your property back into shape.

Protect Your Home and Finances

Does insurance cover roof hail damage? Most do, but coverage depends on your policy. Being timely is also essential, as it will give you a better chance at approval. Lastly, be sure to partner with a local, experienced contractor to make the process smoother.

You don’t have to do it alone—we’ve got you covered. Storm Guard Roofing and Construction offers free roof inspections, insurance claim assistance, and high-quality repairs to make your experience stress-free.

Do you suspect hail damage? Schedule a free roof inspection today!