Modern Remodeling MD

Unlike a water loss where damage is evident, wind damage doesn’t always appear to be a big deal. Most homeowners that call us expect to pay out-of-pocket for their repairs because it is only a few shingles that came off or one piece of siding. We almost always encourage those homeowners to file an insurance claim for wind damage and here is why…

Your premium won’t go up

Just like hail damage or if a tree hit your roof, wind damage is not only covered by your insurance company but it will not cause your premiums to rise. This is due to the fact that these types of claims are considered to be an “Act of God,” meaning the homeowner is not at fault. If your son accidentally left the sink running and it floods the upstairs bathroom, that is a preventable claim. With wind damage, there is nothing a homeowner could have done to be more proactive or prevent damage from occurring. Why pay out-of-pocket when you already pay for your insurance?

Think the repair cost will be less than your deductible? Think again…

Wind damage often looks unassuming. After all, how hard can it be to nail back one or two shingles or refasten a piece of siding? The truth is, the cost of even a minor repair can be expensive, typically costing anywhere from $800-$2k depending. You want to be sure to use a properly licensed, insured and experienced contractor and you always get what you pay for. You could cost yourself more in the long run by cutting corners or working with the wrong contractor just to save a few bucks.

Why repair when you can replace?

Even more to consider, roofs most susceptible to wind damage are older ones with 3-tab shingles. These roofs do not hold repairs and patches well as they are just older and weaker. The money you spend on repairs every year will far outweigh the cost of your deductible, which you would only pay once and have peace of mind for the next 25-years (50-years if you upgrade to an HD shingle).

It seems silly to keep repairing something when for the same amount of money you could completely replace your roof. This is the most economical option long-term and truly the smartest. Wind damage is not something to underestimate. Unsure if you have damage? Considering filing an insurance claim? Contact us or give us a call at 410-569-1732. We are happy to explain the insurance process or give you our professional opinion!

To file or not to file, that is the question. For many homeowners, the threat of rising premiums can outweigh any benefit of filing an insurance claim, even if damage is evident. In fact, InsuranceQuotes.com recently came out with a study saying that in some states, filing just one claim with your homeowners insurer can cause your rates to rise as much as 20%. No wonder homeowners are so weary. The typical rule of thumb is not to file unless damage is catastrophic, i.e your house burns down or entire basement floods. However, that rule does not apply to storm damage like severe wind or hail.

The “Act of God”

The difference between an insurance claim from storm damage and a normal insurance claim is storm damage is typically deemed an “Act of God.” You could’ve probably prevented your bathtub from overflowing but you absolutely could not have prevented a hail storm from hitting your house. “Acts of God,” for insurance purposes, are defined as events that occur through natural causes and mostly refers to natural disasters. In this situation, most insurance companies will not raise your individual premium if you file a claim.

Why Do They Premiums Sometimes Go Up Anyway?

Even if a storm was deemed an “Act of God,” insurance premiums still sometimes go up. This has to do directly with the amount of claims filed in one zip code. After a big storm, this makes a lot of sense as you and most of your neighbors will have damage. Even though your premium did not go up because you personally filed a claim, the general rates for your zip code did rise. The flip side of this is even if you did not personally file an insurance claim related to storm damage, your insurance premium still goes up.

To Claim or Not To Claim

The smartest thing to do when faced with the dilemma of whether or not to file an insurance claim for storm damage is consult a professional. Have a storm damage specialist inspect your home for damage. They will be able to tell you whether damage is minor and you are better off paying for repairs out-of-pocket or if damage to your home is significant enough to warrant a claim. If you know you have credible damage, your best bet it to just file an insurance claim. If you know your zip code has been afflicted by hail or severe wind, you can assume your rates are going to rise. Resisting filing on the small hope it will lessen the amount of claims being filed in your zip code almost never works. If this is the case, you may as well benefit and have your storm damage repairs paid for by insurance. After all, you will be paying regardless.

Is Wind Damage Really Covered by Insurance?

The Truth About Insurance Premiums After a Storm