Hailstorms can be a nightmare for homeowners. However, for those looking to upgrade their home's exterior, hail damage can provide an opportunity. Aluminum siding is particularly vulnerable to hail damage, even from pea-sized hailstones. If your home has aluminum siding and has been hit by hail, you may be eligible for a homeowners' insurance claim to cover the cost of a new siding replacement. A wide area in both Chicago and the suburbs has had experienced hail damage in early April of 2023. All homeowners have 1 year to file a claim. After the 1 year period is over your insurance carrier will not even come out to inspect damage that's from that storm. For example hail damage Mount Prospect and hail damage in Des Plaines were 1" which is fine for aluminum siding and the roof but it also depends on the type of roof, age of the roof and how dense the hail stone is. The damage seen in Arlington Heights and hail damage Palatine is from 1.5" to 1.75" hail stones which will damage most exteriors.
It's essential to hire professionals like TomKat Restoration for a proper inspection as not all damage on siding is from hail. When the insurance adjuster comes, you must be able to pinpoint the hail damage and differentiate it from any damage that was there previously from garden tools, balls or garbage can lids. Proper identification is essential, and you need to point out exactly where the hail damage occurred.
If the insurance company approves all the sides of siding at the correct rate, then vinyl siding installation may be covered. If you prefer to upgrade to James Hardie siding, then you may need to pay a small out-of-pocket expense on top of the claim funds. This upgrade cost is reasonable, considering the benefits of upgrading to James Hardie siding.
If the hail damage also affected other exterior elements, such as the roof, gutter, downspouts, and window wraps, the insurance company will replace them as well. The result could be a total upgrade to your exterior with a completely new look.
Don't let a hailstorm cause you undue stress. Take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade your home's exterior by using your insurance claim to finally get that James Hardie Illinois specific siding you've always wanted. Contact TomKat Restoration today to schedule an inspection and access our professional services.
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