4 Types Of Commercial Hail Damages
Commercial hail damages range from dings and dents to splits and punctures. Hailstones may physically etch defects on siding, windows, fences, and landscaping. This could happen even if the effects are not always entirely visible. Hail damage most commonly affects a business’s roof. Even small hail damage to the roof might compromise the structure of the building, necessitating costly repairs.
Cracked Fiberglass Mat
The fiberglass mat that lies beneath the asphalt roof’s surface adds another layer of moisture protection.
Sadly, if a hailstone of the correct size manages to strike your roof, the impact may be so strong that the fiberglass mat may be damaged. The fiberglass mat is hidden behind your shingles, making it difficult to see. Hence, you might not even be aware of its damage until water infiltration occurs.
Loose Granules
Your asphalt roof’s granules improve the visual attractiveness of your roofing system and protect the shingles from UV light. Nevertheless, hail can cause these granules to become dislodged and fall off, exposing the asphalt covering below. If this happens, leaks are likely to follow. So, be sure to always have a roofing repair specialist restore your roof if you find that any of the roof’s granules are missing.
Shingle Damage
Your shingles may become loose, crack, or go missing as a result of hailstone damage. In any case, it’s terrible news for your roofing system since it exposes your house to more damage and water seepage.
Other Forms of Damage
Large hailstones can potentially damage rooftop air conditioning systems. Hail may also cause significant damage to storefronts and aluminum-clad structures in particular. Aluminum building and property materials can be expensive to replace and are sometimes more complex to repair than to replace.
Insurance Coverage for Hail Damage
Insurance policies can include blanket coverage for several buildings. This can be either a particular percentage or a predetermined amount deductible for hail damage. A deductible buy-down is a type of layered coverage that may be included in commercial insurance plans. To minimize deductibles for the policyholder, layered coverage layers numerous policies on top of one another.
This kind of coverage helps avoid price fluctuations and covers likely gaps in a policy’s coverage. Nevertheless, navigating the various thresholds within the layered coverage can be difficult.
Denied Hail Damage Claims
When it comes to claims for hail damage, insurance companies may be fickle. Most commonly, claims are rejected because the insurance company argues that the damage was caused by an earlier storm or because the claim was filed too long after the storm occurred.
The insurance policy’s aesthetic exclusions are another reason claims can be rejected. As a result of the exclusion, dents and other purely “cosmetic” hail damage are not covered.
Yet, even little dents or dings on some surfaces, including roofs, might eventually result in serious damage if left unattended.
What We Can Do for You
The team at Stone Claims Company has years of experience addressing the many complexities of hail damage claims. By including a public adjuster on your recovery team, you can focus on restarting operations rather than worrying about handling the claim on your own. We also offer appraisal services as an alternative dispute resolution option available under some commercial insurance policies. Reach out to us today!