Claims
Hail and your roof: what Iowa policies actually pay
Hail season makes the roof the most important line on an Iowa home policy. Here is how wind and hail deductibles work and what to do after a storm.
Published
Read time
7 min read
By
Thaddeus Gundersen
In Iowa, wind and hail cause more homeowners claims than almost any other peril. That is why carriers price the roof so carefully and why many policies now carry a separate deductible for it.
Percentage deductibles
A wind and hail deductible is often 1% or 2% of your dwelling limit instead of a flat amount. On a $350,000 dwelling limit, 1% is $3,500 and 2% is $7,000, however small the damage.
After the storm
Photograph the roof, gutters, siding and window screens from the ground
Cover any opening to keep water out, and keep the receipts
Report the claim within the time your policy allows
Be careful with storm chasers who ask you to sign over your claim
Cosmetic damage
Some policies exclude cosmetic hail damage on metal roofs and siding, meaning dents that do not let water in. If you have a metal roof, ask whether that endorsement is on your policy.
The question to ask your agent: what is my wind and hail deductible in dollars, and does my policy pay replacement cost on the roof?
General information, not advice
This guide explains how insurance generally works. Premiums in examples are illustrations, not quotes or offers of coverage. Policy wording differs by carrier and your situation is your own, so talk to a licensed agent before you decide.
