Does Property Insurance in Fort Lauderdale Cover Hailstorm Damage?

A severe hailstorm in Florida can wreak absolute havoc on your property, causing extensive damage to many aspects of your home. After a major hailstorm, you might consider filing a property insurance claim. But does a standard policy even cover hailstorm damage? This is something you might want to discuss with a Fort Lauderdale property insurance lawyer, especially if your claim has already been denied.

Most Property Insurance Policies Cover Hailstorm Damage 

For the most part, standard property insurance policies cover hailstorm damage in Florida. This is considered a basic component of a HO-3 policy, which most homeowners have. That being said, property insurance companies may try to deny coverage for various reasons. You might also face separate deductibles when you file a claim for hail damage.

Finally, many people have been adjusting their property insurance to pursue lower premiums. If you chose a cheaper policy instead of a standard form of coverage, hail damage may not be covered. In other words, it all depends on your unique situation and your policy. It may help to review your specific circumstances with a property insurance lawyer if you’re not sure whether you should be covered for hail damage.

Hail Can Be Extremely Damaging in Florida

 Most people do not fully appreciate the destructive potential of hail. Although these are simply frozen water droplets, they can smash through windows. Hailstones the size of golf balls are rare, but certainly not unheard of in Florida. Fort Lauderdale may not be as at-risk for serious hail as other parts of the state, but Mother Nature can always surprise us. The largest hailstone ever recorded in Florida was 4.5 inches in diameter.

Aside from damaging windows, hail can also cause serious destruction to residential roofs in Florida. While some roofs are more vulnerable to hail damage than others, virtually any type of roof can be destroyed by hail. Repair costs can be extremely high, and this highlights the need for effective property insurance in Florida.

Does Property Insurance Cover Hail Damage to My Vehicle? 

No, property insurance does not typically cover damage to your vehicle. Even if you parked your vehicle on your property (such as a driveway), you’ll probably need to file a claim with your auto insurance provider instead of your property insurance provider. If you have any issues with hail damage claims involving vehicles, consider speaking with a lawyer.

 Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today

At Fuxa & Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.

Sources: 

restoremastersllc.com/hail-damage-statistics-in-florida/

nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/hail/

mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2023/04/27/your-home-or-car-has-hail-damage–now-what-