How Can Businesses Make Their Hail Claims Stick?
Hail damage isn’t always discovered by business owners immediately following a hailstorm. It can, after all, be difficult to inspect and see the damage. Until a leak occurs, damage can go undetected and unreported. This applies to retail locations, warehouses, public buildings, high-rises, restaurants, and more.
If too much time passes, hail claims can be particularly hard to collect on from insurance companies. For this reason and more, regular commercial property inspections should be executed by someone who knows the ins and outs of possible damage, where it can come from, etc.
What to Do To File a Claim
Even if some time has gone by since the hailstorm, you stand a better chance of recovering repair costs if you, as a business owner, follow a few important steps…
Expedite Your Reporting
Immediately upon discovering damage, get in touch with your insurance company. You are responsible, as the insured, for filing a commercial insurance claim.
Know Your Policy
It’s your policy; you should know what’s in it. Under your commercial insurance policy, to what are you entitled? How much coverage against hail damage is contained within your policy? Be sure to ask your broker and/or get a full copy of your policy as soon as possible.
Take Notes
Between the insurance company and yourself, notate and keep track of all communications. If, related to the loss, there are receipts or other information, keep all of that as well. Don’t get rid of anything that may possibly be even marginally important. Better to keep too much than too little.
Organization Is Key
If you’re not organized, you must get organized. Through video clips, pictures, etc., make sure all damage is documented. If windows, doors, roofs, and other exterior features have been damaged and repaired, make sure you have all of the applicable receipts.
Inventory
Of any and all items damaged and/or lost in the hailstorm, create a complete inventory that is precise, detailed, and easy to understand.
Proof of Loss
Your insurance agent or company should provide you with a “Proof of Loss Claim”. Fill it out in its entirety.
A Complete Inspection
Anything that might have been broken, dented, etc. as a result of the hailstorm should be checked carefully. This can include the following:
- Windows
- Steps/stairs
- Roofing such as skylights, shingles, etc.
- Landscaping like gardens, plants, flowers, shrubs, etc.
- HVAC units
- Siding
- Gutters
- Security cameras and more
Hire an Adjuster
Though the insurance company will likely assign you an adjuster, you would be better served by hiring your own. The reasons why, and the best commercial property damage insurance adjuster to hire, is detailed below.
Who to Contact If Your Business Has Been Affected by Hail
If your business experiences damage from a hailstorm, ice, snow, etc., don’t trust the insurance company and their representatives where the insurance adjustment is concerned. The professionals at Stone Claims are ready 24/7, every day of the year, to help your company get back to the business of being in business!
You can count on effective, efficient property damage insurance appraisals when you contract the services of Stone Claims. We operate in Virginia, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Oklahoma, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nebraska, Mississippi, Maryland, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Delaware, and Colorado.
What’s the best reason for contracting Stone Claims for your commercial adjustment needs? Insurance adjusters work for insurance companies. We work for you. We fight for fairness.
For a free claim review, please contact us at 1-800-892-1116. You can email us at office@stoneclaims.com if you like. Or you can use our convenient online form. Fill it out, send it in, and we’ll get back to you.