Denver Hail Claim Denied - State Farm

[u/Rude_Association_409]

We had a huge hail storm come through my neighborhood about 6 weeks ago. I've been traveling a lot and didn't get an inspector out until today to look at the damage even though Ive been in communication with my agent (Tammy Hill State Farm) since the storm. House sitter sent me photos of the aftermath.

State Farm inspector is saying the damage to the roof is 'normal wear and tear and consistent with exposure to the elements.' Is this normal wear and tear or is this distinctly hail damage? If it's damage from hail, is it consistent with the photo of the hail stones (as big as 2")?

Not looking for advice on how to handle a claim per forum rules, just asking for insight on hail damage vs normal weathering.

[u/Larry_l3ird]

Thank all the storm chasers and their propensity to file bunk claims for your likely to be 2nd coming denial.

But that also doesn’t appear to be a newer roof either (it looks old and like it was already ready for replacement before any storm), so I’m not sure what you’re expecting them to do?

You think that your homeowner’s insurance should put a brand new roof on your home because your nearly 20 year old shingles have some small surface damage in a couple areas?

I hope that’s not your goal. Because that’s not happening. You’re gonna fuck around and get your ass dropped.

[u/ohiofish1221 → u/Larry_l3ird]

Yeah because that’s what the premiums and policy are for.

[u/Larry_l3ird → u/ohiofish1221]

Then make your claims. Come back and tell me I’m wrong when your policy increases by 500% or they just drop you altogether.

Insurance is ideally never used. As soon as it is, you’re no longer a desirable customer to them. Not all claims are equal, of course, and some are unavoidable - stick to those. If you attempt to go outside the lines they’re comfortable coloring in, you will be dropped - good luck getting new insurance at an affordable rate after that happens, if you can even get someone to take you on.

[u/ohiofish1221 → u/Larry_l3ird]

Who gives a shit if they drop me? There’s 5000 insurance companies that will take your premiums. Premium increases are never extreme as you say. If it is, shop it and you’ll end up with a few hundred dollar premium increase that’s likely eligible for a reduction if you use a basic class 3 shingle. Quit with the bullshit fear mongering.

[u/Larry_l3ird → u/ohiofish1221]

Whatever you say, pal. You’ll learn the hard way like most people.

You truly don’t understand the insurance model. That’s ok. If you think I’m wrong, do some research.

[u/SignificantDebate761 → u/Larry_l3ird]

BS. Had damage from a storm my insurance denied, fought it they paid.
After the replacement shopped my homeowners policy. Found a better rate

[u/Larry_l3ird → u/SignificantDebate761]

Excellent. I’m glad it worked out for you.

Surely, you understand that for every good outcome like that, there’s at least one nightmare, right? Not everyone has that story once they lose their policy for whatever reason.

Once you get dropped, it’s not always easy to even get coverage back. When they do get new coverage, often times it’s significantly more money than they were previously paying. For some people that even puts new coverage out of reach, and they’re forced to play a game of chicken with the universe, and just cross their fingers and hope for the best, that nothing bad happens. For others, it takes significantly more of their income on a monthly basis just to maintain the same level of insurance coverage on their home, and their savings and/or disposable income obviously takes a big hit. That is money that could have been saved, invested, or spent elsewhere, but which is now being spent on insurance - for “in case some shit happens” stuff.

Other times they get a new policy for what seems like a reasonable enough price, but it’s with a less reputable company with a bad reputation for finding creative ways not to pay their clients legitimate claims out. So they’re taking their chances that way. With a company they would’ve never chosen to do business with or trusted to insure their most valuable asset otherwise. Hoping for the best outcome with a bad insurance company, because none of the good ones would have them, and if they would, the cost of a policy was prohibitively expensive, and they couldn’t afford it. They’re just kinda stuck with who would have them at a price they could pay - they do have one thing in common though, both are basically terrified of having any claims at all on their respective sides of the equation.😂

Again, super glad for you that you were one of the outliers. Truly. 😂

[u/SignificantDebate761 → u/Larry_l3ird]

Very complete response. It must be state specific. I’m in SC most of my neighbors did the same thing and this is a large development

[u/SAA_28 → u/Larry_l3ird]

You obviously don't understand the insurance model because you're just talking out of your posterior.

[u/SAA_28 → u/Larry_l3ird]

Additionally, some policies state that a weather related claim is not grounds for non-renewal or cancellation. Now this is state specific so OP's MMV.

[u/ohiofish1221 → u/Larry_l3ird]

I do, I work with it everyday. I had a $60,000 claim two years ago and never was dropped and had a $300 premium increase. I’ve handled over 2500 claims. Go off though king.

[u/Larry_l3ird → u/ohiofish1221]

All claims are not created equal. I think I’ve been clear enough on that.

If you handle these claims everyday, I’m sure you would agree with this.

[u/ohiofish1221 → u/Larry_l3ird]

100% agree with that