2019 has been plagued with many severe storms often including hail damage leaving many homeowners wondering if their home owner’s policy will cover the damage and what to do next. Though this sort of damage is covered by standard home insurance in most states, coverage is applied in a variety of ways, depending on where you live, your insurer and the provisions of your policy.

How Does Your State Rank for Hail Damage?

Are you living in an area where hail damage is more common? According to a recent nationwide study, Texas, Kansas and Illinois  ranked at the top of the list for property damage but other states ie: Oklahoma and Colorado also ranked high based on % of homes affected compared with the actual number of homes. That said, if you’re in a state with 4 seasons and extreme weather trends, you may, at some point, experience hail damage. Most people think of their roof damage but hail can also damage your siding which may need replacing as well.

Filing a Damage Claim

The Insurance Information Institute (III) and insurance companies say policyholders need to file promptly. Filing within one year of when the damage occurred is required by most standard policies. Best to contact your agent or insurance company and ask if there is a time limit and what it is. If you live in an area with rare hail damage issues, your standard policy will most likely include coverage. However, like in flood zones or hurricane areas, if you live where hail is very common, you may need a rider for full coverage.

It’s not a bad idea to call a reputable roofing/siding company to come and assess the damage and give you an idea of what the cost will be to repair or replace the damaged portions of your home. Then figure out that cost – your deductible to determine if it’s really worth your effort to make the claim and possibly having your insurance premiums increase the following year. That said, since weather damage is out of your control, meaning it wasn’t caused by your neglect in any way, raising your rates is not as common. Some states, including Texas which is a high hail damage area, protect homeowners by prohibiting insurance companies for raising rates after only one claim. Take that extra step and check to see what laws may apply in your state.

Though most of us hate to read through our insurance policies (yawn) because of the way the gobbly gook is written, it may be well worth your time to see if wind and hail damage is excluded from your standard policy. If you then deem it valuable, you can purchase a separate rider if available from your insurer or a wind policy offered by your state. As expected, the cost of those options will be higher in a state more commonly affected by these frustrations of nature.

Also, when reviewing your policy, don’t simply peruse. Delve. You may see that your policy provides for hail damage BUT if you look more closely, there might be a stipulation that if they deem the damage to be only cosmetic, it is not covered. This is your money! Know what you’re paying for so in time of need you’re not aggravated that you’ve been paying your sometimes high insurance premiums on time every month year after year only to find out, they will give you nothing. Hail can be devastating but finding out after the fact that your insurance isn’t going to help with the repairs will be even more so!

Empty nesting? Retiring? OR Young and Adventurous? People of all ages are discovering the advantages and opportunities provided by living the RV lifestyle. Let’s take a look at why and perhaps you’ll decide this is great “Home Life” for you as well!

• The cost can vary dramatically depending on size and upgrades, similar to living in a traditional home. In fact, some RVs can rival traditional homes with regard to amenities and upgrades. The cost can often reflect the same outlay as buying a home in a neighborhood on a lot all your own. BUT with no landscaping, HOAs, real estate taxes, and the maintenance involved in home ownership, your cost over time can be dramatically lower.
• You’ll also save money on travel and vacations. No more having to save up for a year to do that special trip. RVs are so common now combined with the internet, finding RV parks where you’re heading is pretty easy. You’ll save on hotels, eating at restaurants, air/auto/train/bus tickets and you can leave at your whim or stay an extra few days or weeks without having to pay any fees to change tickets.
• If you have a business or job where you can work online, you can work while viewing the glory of the mountains one day and hearing the lap of the ocean the next.
• When you live in an RV, you are more likely to live a healthier, outdoor lifestyle vs sitting on the couch at the end of your work day watching tv (though you can do that too once in a while in your RV). People tend to live healthier lifestyles in an RV.
• If you’re an avid road tripper, you and your kids have your own bathroom, kitchen, play and sleeping areas which allows you to travel longer distances without constantly having to make pit stops along the way.
• If you sold your home to buy your RV, you can “own” your home with no additional costs. Even if you pay off your mortgage on a traditional home, you still have all the traditional home costs (maintenance ie: roofs, a/c, windows, blah blah blah). Your RV of course requires upkeep and maintenance but your biggest expense will be gas and as you travel you can use the internet to find the best places to fuel up. I
• You’ll learn to live a simpler, less cluttered lifestyle due to space restrictions. But most people you talk to who are enjoying their new freer life, say that they’re happier because in losing their stuff, they gained closer relationships and respect for nature.

The RV lifestyle is not for everyone, but if you choose to switch to this form of home ownership, you may find that your life has more adventure, freedom and a sense of family.