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Got hail damage? Here's some insurance advice

Residents across the metro area are assessing damage after large hail, strong winds and heavy rain swept through Colorado Monday afternoon.

<p>Hail shattered windows in Highland Ranch's BackCountry neighborhood</p>

Residents across the metro area are assessing damage after large hail, strong winds and heavy rain swept through Colorado Monday afternoon.

But what can you do if you find shattered windows, torn screens, dented cars and cracked windshields after a storm like this?

Here are a few tips:

  • If your car was damaged, check your insurance. If you have comprehensive coverage you are likely covered.
    • In most cases, you will first take your car to a body shop to get an estimate for repairs. If the damage was minor, it may not even be as much as your deductible so you'll want to consider that before filing your claim. Whether or not you repair your car is up to you.
    • If you decide to file a claim, the insurance company will generally want an estimate for the repair and will write you a check for that cost minus your deductible.
    • If you have an outstanding loan on your car, you will be required to get it fixed.
    • Most of the time, filing a claim for hail damage alone will not affect your insurance premiums.
    • Some policies will not make you pay a deductible on windshield repair (not replacement). If windshield only has minor damage make sure you know whether this is the case for you before deciding whether to repair or replace.
  • If your home was damaged by the hail, you are likely covered by your homeowners policy.
    • First take photos of all the damage as soon as it's safe to do so. Be sure to check the roof, siding, windows and even capture large trees that may have been knocked over in the storm. Check carefully because the damage isn't always obvious.
    • Insurance companies will require an adjuster to come inspect your home and assess damage. Call your company to ask how they prefer you set up this appointment.
    • Be aware: insurance will often not cover what they consider cosmetic damage that does not affect the integrity of the home's structure.
    • Deductibles for storm damage will not always be the same as deductibles for other claims. Check with your company.
    • Occasionally, companies will cover removal of large trees and debris that fall as a direct result of hail, wind or lightning (minus a deductible of course). Before you pay for this service, check to make sure yours does not!

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