The Hidden Storm Damage Insurers Don’t Tell You About: Check Your Property Today
Storms cause obvious damage. They also cause some not-so-obvious damage.
Unfortunately, many insurers only want to check for obvious damage. They might do a cursory inspection of the damaged property, then offer a lower-than-expected settlement.
One of the best ways to push back is to know where hidden storm damage occurs and how to identify it. If you can spot it, document it, and prove it to your insurer, your insurer should cover it.
Today, we’re highlighting hidden storm damage your insurance policy could cover.
Mold & Interior Water Damage
Mold and interior water damage are common after a storm. They’re also easy to miss.
If a storm affected your roof, then water may have entered your home, leading to mold. This water damage needs to be addressed to prevent further issues.
A standard homeowners insurance policy covers storm-related water damage. However, the policy does not cover long-term mold damage or removal. The sooner you spot interior water damage and mold, the more likely insurance will cover the cost of removing it.
Smoke & Soot Damage
If lightning causes a fire, it can lead to soot and smoke damage throughout your home.
Insurers don’t like covering smoke and soot damage. It’s difficult to quantify and document. However, it can also cost thousands of dollars to repair – and these costs should be covered by your insurer.
Walk around your home and look for signs of smoke and soot damage like:
- A lingering, pungent odor that won’t go away
- Visible discoloration or residue on the walls and ceilings
- Health symptoms like a scratchy throat or itchy eyes
- Warped or cracked materials around the home
- Damaged, stained, or bad-smelling furniture and fabrics
- HVAC issues or odd odor from the HVAC system
Storms don’t often lead to fires. But if a storm did cause a fire, it could lead to smoke and soot damage throughout your property – not just in the fire-affected area.
Roof Damage
The best time to check your roof is after a storm (when safe to do so). Even a mild storm could damage your roof, leaving holes or dents.
If you don’t spot and document this damage today, your insurance could deny a future claim because it’s pre-existing damage.
When safe to do so, get on your roof and check for damages like:
- Broken, curling, or missing shingles
- Holes or gaps in tiles
- Large branches or other debris in the gutters or spouts
- Damage to the exterior of the chimney
Exterior Wall & Window Damage
After checking the roof, check your walls and windows for exterior damage. A single acorn, blown from a tree during a storm, can easily crack siding or a window.
Even if you have a harder exterior surface – like brick – it can still be damaged in a storm. Check the exterior of your home carefully to ensure you’re not missing any damage.
Some of the exterior wall damage to look for after a storm includes:
- Cracked, broken, or splitting siding
- Chipped or damaged paint
- Dents
- Damaged or missing siding
- Visible damage to other components
- Broken or damaged windows (including the glass, screen, pane, or frame)
Damage to Wooden Structures (Like Decks & Fences)
Wooden structures are the most destructible parts of your home. They’re the components most often damaged by severe weather.
After a storm, check for visible damage to components like:
- Porches
- Decks
- Fences
A storm could blow away planks, railings, and stairs, for example. It could lead to curling or warped boards. Whatever the damage may be, it’s important to add it to your insurance claim.
Debris Removal & Disposal
A storm can leave debris – like fallen trees – across your property.
Some storms even cause hazardous materials to leak onto your property.
Typically, insurance covers the cost of removing trees, disposing of hazardous materials, and removing other items after a storm. However, these damages need to be documented. You need to prove the debris was there because of the storm – you’re not just using the insurance claim as a free junk removal service.
Landscaping Damage
Typically, homeowners insurance covers the cost of repairing landscaping damage as long as the damage was caused by a covered event – like fire, lightning, vandalism, theft, or an explosion.
If a storm destroys your home’s garden or other landscaping features, then document it and add it to your claim.
Some of the signs of landscaping damage to watch for include:
- Fallen trees
- Wind-damaged trees
- Damaged outbuildings
Insurers typically cap these damages at a certain amount. If you have high-end or expensive landscaping features, then consider adding an endorsement. Insurance is also unlikely to cover landscaping damage linked to wear and tear – like a rotted tree that fell over or pest damage to your backyard.
Additional Living Expenses
Insurance policies cover additional living expenses if your house is unlivable after a storm.
Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t keep track of their additional living expenses, leaving thousands of dollars of compensation off their claim.
As the NAIC explains, some of the things to track and document after a devastating storm include:
- Hotel bills
- Reasonable restaurant meals
- Other living costs above and beyond your normal housing expenses
- Any other costs incurred for as long as your home remains unlivable after a covered event
Generally, it’s best to track everything and let insurance apply coverage. Keep all receipts for any additional costs, as your insurer will need these receipts before providing reimbursement.
Your Insurer Doesn’t Want You to Check for Extra Damage
You buy insurance to protect you.
Unfortunately, insurers often don’t want to protect you; they want to close your claim as quickly as possible while limiting the amount they pay.
The sooner they close your claim, the less time you have to add items to your claim – even if those items should rightfully be covered.
Need help? Contact a ClaimsMate public adjuster for a free consultation.
We’ll analyze your situation, apply coverage, and provide a game plan – no costs and no obligations.
Contact us today for expert storm damage insurance claim help anywhere in the United States.
Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.
