WIND DAMAGE CLAIMS ATTORNEY
Your Guide to Wind Damage Claims
Wind damage can create serious complications for your home, business, or other structures. The impact of wind damage can range from missing shingles or siding, to major internal structural problems due to sustained force.
Wind damage may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy, but before you file a claim, it’s a good idea to go over your policy and understand your rights.
The Hidden Dangers of Wind Damage
Dangerous winds can send debris hurtling toward your home or other property. It can also knock down trees that crash through your roof or pull screens off your windows. If screens are damaged or removed, it’s important to replace them immediately. Your screens not only keep out bugs and debris, but also protect your glass from debris in the event of a storm.
In many cases, debris will leave a lasting impact even if you can’t see it. Siding can split or incur holes, leaving your home vulnerable to water damage. Dings and dents in the siding can compromise the integrity of your property’s structure. This leaves you more vulnerable to damage from future high winds or storms.
Any type of damage, even small spots that you don’t notice until you get up close, will need to be repaired. Your home is an investment, and making necessary repairs is part of maintaining its value and longevity.
Signs of Wind Damage to Look For
Wind damage can take many forms and affect every nook and cranny of your property. Once a severe storm passes and it’s safe to go outside, take a walk of your property and look for the following signs:
On Your Roof
Your roof has two main roles: to protect your home from the elements and to direct water away from your home. When your roof sustains wind damage, both of these functions are compromised. Even storms that don’t produce rain or hail can damage your roof. And since most people don’t spend much time on their roofs, this damage can often go unnoticed until a more serious problem occurs.
Look for the following signs of wind damage to your roof:
- Slightly lifted shingles
- Loose or missing shingles
- Indoor water leaks
- Loss of granules on shingles
- Damaged soffits or fascia
On the Siding
Wind damage to your home’s siding can be hard to spot in some cases. Small cracks or holes can go undetected until they turn into more serious problems. Some signs to look for include:
- Missing pieces of siding
- Cracked siding
- Holes in the siding
- Bulging, loose, or warped siding
On Your Windows
The most common type of wind damage to windows is broken glass. This happens when the winds are strong enough to fling debris directly into the glass, causing it to break. Other signs to look for include:
- Broken or missing screens
- Damage or dents on the window frame
- Cracks, chips, or holes in the paint
- Water leaks
Remember, insurance companies are in business to make a profit. However, this shouldn’t be done at your expense at such a critical time.
What to Do When Your Property Sustains Wind Damage
Wind damage can vary in level of severity. In some cases, you’ll be thankful that wind damage is the only type of damage you sustained. In other cases, winds that have knocked trees onto your roof or cause other serious damage will need to be addressed immediately.
Regardless of how severe your situation is, the first thing you’ll want to do is take photos of the damage you find while it’s fresh. If the damage gets worse, make sure you document these changes, too.
The next step is to consult your homeowner’s insurance policy. It’s a good idea to file your claim as soon as possible. This is because if your home sustained wind damage, chances are your neighbors’ home are in a similar condition. Insurance companies with a mass influx of claims may have slower processing times, which could delay you from getting funds to start cleaning up.
Will Insurance Cover Wind Damage?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies will include wind damage coverage. The main exception is for homeowners who live near the coast. Wind damage coverage is usually offered as an add-on option and not part of the core insurance coverage in this case.
However, there may be other unique limitations or exclusions that could prevent you from getting a fair settlement. For example, some policies may only cover wind damage to the dwelling but not any other personal property, such as a storage shed, greenhouse, or vehicle.
To navigate the process, it can be helpful to consult with a legal professional with experience in wind damage claims. This may give you an optimal chance to recover the compensation you’re rightfully owed.
What to Do If Insurance Won’t Cover Wind-Related Property Damage
When you file any type of insurance claim, you will likely have to pay a deductible before insurance will pay anything. Your policy may also have a coverage limit that may or may not cover the remaining cost of the damage.
It can be disheartening and frustrating when insurance companies deny your claim or don’t provide the level of compensation you feel you’re entitled to. Remember, insurance companies are a business and it’s their job to maintain profitability as much as possible. However, this shouldn’t be done at your expense at a critical time.
If insurance has denied your claim or is not meeting your expectations, legal counsel may be a suitable option.
Contact Pandit Law for Help with Wind Damage Claims
At Pandit Law, our team has years of experience in helping homeowners and business owners file wind damage claims. We understand the unique circumstances that arise with wind damage claims and the complex language insurance companies use that could confuse or delay the process.
Let us put our years of experience to work for you ― contact us today for a free consultation.
Pandit Law
Hancock Whitney Center
701 Poydras Street
Suite 3950
New Orleans, LA 70139
Call or Text: 504-313-3800