Insure Against Hail Damage – a Property Nightmare

Insurance for hail damage in TexasIt’s that unsettling time of year when Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your property without much notice. Among the culprits is hail damage. Repairs due to hail damage can often cost thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the hail, the impact angle and force, and the duration of the storm.

The fact is that hail damage varies widely in total cost and the major categories are roof damage and vehicle damage. Siding, fences, and decking can also potentially suffer harm from hail impacts, but let’s focus on the main two for now.

Hail Damage to Roofing

Because your roof is more exposed to the weather than any other part of the house, it takes the brunt of a hailstorm. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof material and are prone to severe damage by hail stones.

Hail may only damage a certain portion of your roof, but it is usually impossible to replace only a portion of the shingles. Undamaged shingles adjacent to damaged ones must be taken up and put back down during the repair process, adding to labor costs. Replacement jobs can run from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars of damage.

When the damage is severe and widespread enough to call for total roof replacement, you could be looking at a $10,000 to $20,000. Your homeowner’s insurance will typically cover this expense, minus your deductible.

Hail Damage to Vehicles

Often overlooked is the cost of hail damage to vehicles, but the total price tag can be quite significant. If the dents are in hard to work on areas like the car’s roof, the cost goes up. Finally, broken windshields average about $300 to replace. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover hail damage and if you have not yet paid off your car loan it’s a good idea to carry it.

Hail damage in the U.S. costs homeowners millions of dollars in damage every year. While it often cannot be prevented, there are ways to minimize the risk and homeowner’s and comprehensive auto insurance policies will cover it. Knowing the potential costs of hail damage ahead of time should help motivate you to guard and insure against it so you are not caught unprepared.