Maximizing Your Claim: Navigating Home Insurance for Hail Damage

Hail damage is typically covered by home insurance. However, some policies charge separate deductibles for these claims. This is particularly true if you live in an area that’s prone to this weather occurrence.

When hail hits your home, you must act quickly. Boarding up broken windows and taping up cracks can keep cold temperatures, water, and insects out of your home and away from the things you love. Filing a claim can help you make permanent repairs to restore your home to its former glory. 

A typical home insurance policy will cover your home’s structure, your possessions, costs associated with living somewhere else, and more. Keep reading to find out how these claims work. 

How Often Does Hail Harm Homes?

A hailstorm produces tiny pieces of ice that can fall straight down with enough force to break glass or roof tiles. If the storm is strong enough, hail can fall. The combined weight of all that ice can crack roofing and bring ceilings to the ground. 

Hail claims are common. In 2022, State Farm paid more than $3.5 billion in hailstorms alone.[1] Those claims were most common in the following states:

• Minnesota 
• Texas 
• Arkansas 
• Illinois 
• Nebraska 

Nationwide, storms involving hail are among the most common homeowners insurance claims. In 2021, close to 40% of homeowners claims were caused by storms involving wind and hail.[2] 

When a big storm moves through a neighborhood, several homes can be damaged all at once. In one Texas storm in 2023, more than 8,700 hail-related claims were filed with State Farm in just 3 days.[3] 

Every claim takes time to resolve, and the damage can be extensive, leading to massive payouts from insurers. Each claim can also make your insurance premiums go up, as insurance companies might see you as a higher risk and ask for higher premiums to cover your home. 

How Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage? 

While every homeowners policy is different, the HO-3 concept is the most common policy. This type of plan provides coverage from several 16 perils, including wind and hail. 

A traditional HO-3 plan will provide protection in the following categories after a hailstorm:[4]

• Structure. If your home’s walls, windows, doors, or roofing are damaged by hail, your homeowners plan will help pay for repairs. Lisa Koosis, a former claims specialist, notes, “The dwelling portion of your homeowners insurance may also cover attached structures, such as carports, as well as home systems, such as HVAC units. If these are damaged during a hailstorm, check with your agent or a company representative if your coverage extends to these items.”
• Items. If your belongings, such as your furniture or electronics, are ruined due to the hail’s damage, funds could help you repair or replace what you lost. Certain types of items, like valuable artwork, may require a separate rider or policy.
• Living expenses. If you must live elsewhere while the hail damage is being repaired, your policy will cover those expenses. 

Reading your policy carefully is critical. While an HO-3 plan may offer compensation after a hailstorm, it might not be enough to help you fully recover. If you chose a smaller premium over more comprehensive protection, your claim payouts may be smaller and require you to cover more of the cost out of your own pocket. 

What About Hail Deductibles?

Nearly all homeowners policies come with deductibles. This form of risk-sharing allows insurance companies to limit their payouts after a significant event, like a hailstorm. 

Some insurance companies use higher deductibles for hail-related claims.[5] If you live in a state where these storms are common, your insurance company may ask you to accept higher risks and financial responsibilities when hail hits. Read your policy carefully to ensure you’re not surprised by the higher cost of these claims when hail events occur. 

What to Do When Hail Hits 

When the storm subsides and it’s safe for you to go outside, protecting your home is critical.[6] Your insurance company may not pay for damage related to negligence, and they may consider a failure to fix problems a fault. 

Never make permanent corrections after a storm, but there is some action you should take to prevent further damage. Cover up broken windows, place a tarp over damaged roofing, and otherwise take steps to keep water and critters out of your home until it can be repaired. 

How to File a Hail Claim

Asking your insurance company for a hail payout begins with filing a claim. This formal process involves several steps, and it typically ends with receiving funds you can use to fix your home and repair or replace your items. 

To file a hail claim, contact your insurance company and ask these questions:[7]

1. Is my hail damage covered by my policy?
2. How long do I have to file a claim?
3. How much will my deductible be?
4. How long will it take to process my claim?
5. What documentation do I need?

Use these answers to determine if filing is the right idea. If the damage is small, it might be smarter to pay for repairs yourself. Doing so lowers your risk of higher premiums when the policy renews. 

If you choose to file a claim, take photos and videos of all the damage you’ve noticed. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to visit your home and assess the damage. Be present for that meeting, and provide all the evidence of loss you’ve gathered. 

To find out more about how the claims process works, visit our online guide.

Handle Common Hail Insurance Problems 

While many hail claims move smoothly, others do not. Understanding common pitfalls and problems can help you know what works well and what does not. For example, the insurer alleges that part of the damage was caused by regular wear and tear rather than hail damage. You may require an assessment from an outside adjuster to help prove your claim. 

Be leery of filing too many hail-related claims. One couple in Chicago filed three hail claims in 3 years, and they faced a cancellation when the policy came up for renewal.[8] If the damage is small and you can fix it yourself, doing so could ensure that you keep your plan and its protections in place. 

If your claim is approved, work with a reputable contractor and save your receipts. A homeowner in Texas had an approved hail-related claim and hired a contractor to fix it.[9] However, that person won’t give her the final paperwork. Her insurance company won’t provide coverage until she can prove the house is fixed, and she will lose her mortgage without home insurance. 

Always ensure you’re working with a licensed, insured professional, and get all the paperwork you need. Get all estimates and projections in writing.  

Handle a Hail Claim 

When hail hits, do your part to protect your home from further damage. Make temporary repairs, and contact your insurance company to file a claim. 

Be open, honest, and responsive with your insurance company during the process. Document all communications, and keep evidence of damage in one place that’s easy to access. Ideally, you’ll end up with the funds you need to repair your home and replace your damaged belongings in short order.