The process of claiming insurance for hail damage is something that you need to think through carefully as you do not want to be left with no car to speak of at all.
When it comes to claiming insurance for auto hail damages, you need to make sure that you follow the steps laid out to you by your insurance company. Let’s talk about that and more.
Read on for more information on filing car insurance claims, the process you can follow, and how long you have to claim hail damage.
How to Process a Hail Damage Car Insurance Claim
Naturally, car owners should report a hail incident immediately, or as soon as he or she is able to contact the insurance agency. Within the filing period, the insurance agency will also conduct a damage inspection on the vehicle.
First, communicate with your insurance agent, who should be the one to file an official report, including all the information that should support your claim for the damages. You need to submit the requirements for processing the hail damages of your car.
If there are no apparent signs of severe hail damage such as dents and scratches on the dashboard or doors, it is probably best to consult them and wait for their response. If, however, your car is significantly damaged, you can start seeking out an auto mechanic who specializes in fixing vehicles that have sustained hail damage.
Hire a professional who has experience in dealing with hail damage and who can tell you whether you will be able to file a claim. A certified hail damage service provider can also advise how to document the damage to your car properly.
Finally, you can start the filing process for your claim with the company that provides your auto insurance. Once you submit your claim, they will investigate to verify that your vehicle’s damage is indeed the result of a hailstorm.
If your car’s damage cannot be determined, your insurance company will ask for proof from you. You must include these documents so that your insurance company can determine whether or not your car is the victim of hail damage. After the damage is determined, you will receive a notice from your insurance company. They will then issue an acknowledgment and a car insurance claim number.
How Long Do You Have to Claim Hail Damage on a Car?
Vehicle owners are often unaware of how long they should file an insurance claim for hail damage.
If the car owner is unable to report to the insurance agency right away, deadlines for filing hail damage claims should depend on the insurance company’s policies.
In some states, you need to submit the accident report as immediately as possible. If you submit it within two days, you may be able to file a car insurance claim within one week. However, if you wait over four weeks to file an accident report, you may have to wait up to six months to receive a decision on your claim.
Some companies may not necessarily require a schedule to be followed, while others might provide a timeline for auto hail damage insurance claims. For example, car owners might be bound to report within 72 hours after the occurrence, or should they need to file the insurance claim within 30 days after the hail incident happened.
On a related note, the length of time it will take you to get a claim processed is directly proportional to how bad the damage is and what type of hair you had. For instance, if the damage is minor and not too expensive to replace or fix, you can file a claim within three days of the incident. However, if the damage is comprehensive, it might take a few months to get your auto hail damage insurance claim completely processed and approved.
Whenever you decide to make a claim, you should consult your insurance company about how long you have to wait before they process your claim. It is necessary to remember that no matter how bad your car’s damage is, you have to file for an insurance claim if your policy covers it.
In some cases, insurance companies might withhold or delay claims processing. Make sure to check out with your insurance agent regarding the processing procedures and the estimated completion time.
What Happens If You Don’t Fix Hail Damage?
Is it always necessary to have your auto hail damage fixed and file for an insurance claim? Well, not really, especially when there are only minor, insignificant damages.
However, you need to know what to do if you have auto hail damage, and you didn’t get to file for repair claims. Evidently, your car will have an extremely low value after the incident.
Hail damage to a car is not something that should be taken lightly. Some vehicles are just harder hit than others. This is mainly because hail has a tendency to go straight up into the car instead of crashing into it. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that you should leave your vehicle without repair.
Summary
All things considered, you’ll have to wait until the insurance company has completed your claim. It could take a couple of weeks or maybe even months. It all depends on the conditions and factors that affect the processing, such as where the accident took place or if you’re able to provide all the requirements.
However, once the insurer has received your claim, they will conduct an investigation on the situation. During this process, they will give you an estimate of the repair costs and the duration of the claim. As part of the investigation, they may also request you to provide proof of the exact location of where the accident took place, maybe a few photos right after the hailstorm.
Once the claim is filed, you will receive a notice from your insurance company informing you of the damage repair costs they will cover. You’ll no longer have to wonder how long you have to claim hail damage on your car. And when all the repairs are made, then you can call your insurance company and expect them to grant your claim in no time.
Hail Free Solutions can help file your insurance claims for auto hail damage repairs. Contact us today to learn more about the best hail services we got in store for you!
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