Storms can create a significant amount of damage to any home, particularly in New England. Most often, home insurance helps cover these losses. It can help to cover making repairs or replacements to the areas damaged. Siding may be one area of protection. The siding on your home offers protection to the structure. Damage to it puts your home at risk. Yet, it is not always wise to file a claim for damage. There are a few key things that homeowners in Massachusetts should consider before doing so.
What Happened and Why
To file a claim for siding damage on your home insurance, you generally must prove it was due to an unavoidable incident or an accident. If the siding suffers damage due to being old and warn, your policy likely does not cover its repair or replacement.
For example, if the siding falls off due to the amount of mold buildup under it due to poor maintenance, the policy may not cover the loss. On the other hand, if the siding has damage due to the wind or hail damaging it, then you may be able to get some help. Your agent can offer recommendations on when you can file a claim. This generally happens after an inspection of the damage.
Consider Your Deductible
In a severe storm, such as a tornado, your policy may be ideal to work with. It can often cover significant damage without having to cost you much out-of-pocket. However, there are limits here. For example, your policy has a deductible. This is the amount you must pay first. The insurance policy covers the rest of the loss.
Let’s say wind blew off a few pieces of siding from your home. It may cost you $1,200 to make repairs. Your home insurance policy has a $1,000 deductible. In this case, your policy is only going to pay you $200 after the deductible. It may still be worthwhile to file a claim, depending on your needs. Still, a payout of only $200 might not prove worth it. However, if the damage is significantly larger, then it becomes essential to file a claim.
If your home suffers damage, your first step is to contact your agent. Let your home insurance agent arrange an inspection and estimate for the damage. Then, you can learn what steps you can take to get the repairs taken care of to ensure your home remains secure.
Do not put off this type of claim. You may have to file the claim within a certain amount of time after the incident occurs.