Hail Season is Coming – Are You Covered?

Spring is here, but hail season is right around the corner here in Colorado. While we all love watching a good thunderstorm roll through, no one loves the surprise of hail damage to their roof, car, or RV. Now’s the time to check your insurance coverage—before the first storm hits. In this blog, we’ll break down the key things you need to know to protect your property, avoid surprises, and get ahead of costly claims.

Understanding Wind and Hail Deductibles

One of the most misunderstood parts of a homeowners insurance policy is the wind and hail deductible. This deductible can either be a flat dollar amount (like $2,500) or a percentage of your home’s insured value (commonly 1% or 2%). Recently, many insurance carriers have been increasing the minimum wind and hail deductible requirements, and in some cases, they are raising deductibles at renewal without homeowners even requesting a change. These increases can significantly impact how much you’d pay out of pocket after a storm.

It’s also important to know that wind and hail deductibles apply to more than just your roof—they apply to any damage caused by wind or hail. That includes siding, windows, gutters, fences, and even exterior paint. If a storm causes damage to multiple parts of your home, the entire repair cost would be subject to this deductible.

For example, if your home is insured for $500,000 and your wind and hail deductible is 2%, you’d be responsible for $10,000 out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. Even if you previously had a flat $1,000 or $2,000 deductible, your policy may now reflect a percentage-based amount due to industry-wide changes.

Pro tip: Don’t wait until a storm hits. Review your policy now or give our team a call to see what your wind and hail deductible actually looks like—and whether it’s changed since your last renewal.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read our blog: Insurance 101: Coverage for Catastrophic Losses, Not Maintenance — Understanding ACV vs RCV for Your Roof.

Also, make sure to check what type of roof coverage your policy includes—Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV). This can make a big difference in what you’ll receive in a claim payout.

Does Your Auto Policy Cover Hail Damage?

Hail can wreak havoc on your vehicle—dented roofs, cracked windshields, and broken windows are all common. The good news is that if you have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, hail damage is typically covered!

Comprehensive coverage protects against things like:

– Hail
– Falling tree branches
– Theft
– Vandalism
– Fire
– Animal collisions

Keep in mind: You’ll still need to pay your comprehensive deductible, so it’s important to know what that amount is ahead of time.

RV or Trailer Owner? Don’t Overlook This

If you own a travel trailer or RV, hail can do just as much damage to your rig. While many RV policies include coverage for physical damage, not all policies automatically include glass coverage—especially for windows and windshields.

Be sure to ask:

– Is your RV or trailer covered for hail damage?
– Does your policy include separate glass coverage?
– Do you have a low enough deductible to make filing a claim worthwhile?

We recommend reviewing your RV or trailer policy with our team before hail season hits. A quick coverage check now could save you thousands later.

Always Call Us Before Filing a Claim

One of the biggest mistakes we see is when someone files a claim before reviewing it with our team—only to find out the damage doesn’t exceed their deductible or the claim could cause a rate increase down the road.

Here’s why it’s smart to call us first:

– We can help you determine if the damage is claim-worthy.
– We’ll walk you through your deductible and what coverage may apply.
– We’ll help protect your claims history and avoid unnecessary rate hikes.

Another helpful step before filing a claim? Have a trusted roofing contractor come out to inspect the damage. They can assess the extent of the loss and help you decide if it makes sense to move forward with a claim. A roofer can often spot damage that’s not obvious from the ground and give a professional opinion.

Need a recommendation? We work with some great local professionals:

👉 Our Favorite Roofers – View Recommended Contractors
👉 Trusted Paintless Dent Repair Shop – View Recommended Vendor

Bottom line: Filing a claim is a big decision. Let our team and a reputable contractor help you make the right call.

What Can You Do Now to Prepare for Hail Season?

A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress (and money) later. Here are a few simple but proactive steps you can take before hail season kicks into full swing:

– Schedule a roof inspection – Catch potential weak spots or pre-existing damage that hail could worsen.
– Trim back trees and overhanging branches – This helps reduce the risk of falling limbs during a storm.
– Secure outdoor items – Patio furniture, grills, umbrellas, and yard equipment can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
– Park vehicles in covered areas – If possible, keep your car in a garage or under a carport to protect against hail damage.
– Review your insurance policies – Don’t wait until after a storm to discover gaps in your coverage or changes to your deductible.
– Take photos of your property and vehicles – Having pre-storm documentation can help make the claims process smoother, if needed.

Pro tip: Doing these things now not only helps prevent damage but can also help your insurance claims process go more smoothly—should you need to file one.

Final Thoughts

Preparing now for hail season is one of the best ways to protect your home, vehicles, and budget. If you’re unsure about your coverage, we’re here to help. Whether it’s reviewing your wind and hail deductible, checking for auto comp coverage, or confirming glass coverage on your RV—our team is ready to make insurance easier and more personalized for you.

Have questions or want us to review your policy? Call us today. We’re here to help you weather the storm.