Will a Hail Claim Raise Your Home Insurance Rates?

How insurers decide whether a hail claim affects your premium

Insurers look at your claim history, the number and type of claims, and the condition of your home when they set a renewal price. One hail claim is a single data point in that picture.

Your claim history follows you and the house

Insurers report homeowners claims to a shared database called the CLUE report, run by LexisNexis. It generally holds about seven years of claims.

A homeowner report covers claims you made as a person and claims made on the property itself. A buyer's insurer can see claims a previous owner filed on the house.

The number and cause of claims matter more than one storm

Sources that track homeowners pricing agree that a first claim tends to have a smaller effect than repeated claims. Claims tied to disrepair or negligence usually count against you more than damage from a storm.

Each insurer weighs this differently, and pricing rules vary by company. Your agent can tell you how your insurer treats weather claims before you decide anything.

You can lose a claim-free discount

Many policies include a discount for going a set number of years without a claim. A paid claim can end that discount at renewal, which raises your premium even if your base rate stays the same.

Ask your agent whether your policy carries a claim-free discount and how long it takes to earn it back.

Why your rate can rise even if you never file

Home insurance prices across Wisconsin have been rising with rebuilding costs and storm losses. Local reporting has described more hail and windstorm claims and insurers losing money on homeowners policies in recent years.

Those increases apply to everyone in a rating area. A homeowner who skips a valid claim still pays the higher area rate and is left with the damage.

That is why the decision should rest on the size of the damage, not on fear of an increase. Untreated hail damage can also shorten your roof's life and lead to leaks that are harder to claim later.

Does calling your insurer count as a claim?

It can. Some insurers record a call about damage as a loss notice, and homeowners have reported a question with no payout appearing on their CLUE report.

Ask your agent how your insurer records questions before you call the claims line. Agents can usually explain your deductible and coverage without opening a claim.

Policies require prompt notice of damage, so never sit on damage you know is real. Getting a roof inspection first tells you whether there is damage worth reporting at all.

When filing a hail claim usually makes sense

File when the damage clearly exceeds your deductible and affects how the roof works. Bruised or cracked shingles, lost granules and dented flashing can all shorten a roof's life.

Check your deductible first, because many policies use a separate wind and hail deductible. Our guide to wind and hail deductible percentages shows how to turn a percentage into a dollar figure.

If the roof is badly damaged, a claim can pay for a full replacement. Our article on whether insurance covers roof replacement after hail explains what usually decides repair versus replacement.

When it may not be worth filing

A claim may not be worth it when the repair cost sits close to your deductible. In that case you could take a claim on your record and receive little or nothing.

Some policies also exclude cosmetic damage, such as dents in metal that do not affect function. Read about cosmetic damage exclusions before you file for dented gutters or a metal roof.

A recent prior claim is another reason to talk with your agent first. Two claims close together usually draw more attention at renewal than one.

How to file without weakening your claim

Good records make any claim stronger, whether it is your first or your third. Take dated photos of the roof, siding, gutters and any interior water stains as soon as it is safe.

Our guide on how to document roof storm damage covers what to photograph and what to keep. Save receipts for tarps or emergency repairs, because most policies expect you to prevent further damage.

Have a contractor present when the adjuster inspects the roof. We meet your insurance adjuster on site so hail damage is documented on every slope, not only the ones that are easy to see. Our storm damage team handles this for hail damage repair across our service area.

How to keep your premium down after a roof claim

A new roof can work in your favor at renewal. Insurers often price a newer roof more favorably than an aging one, and our article on whether a new roof lowers insurance explains what to ask.

Impact-resistant shingles can also qualify for a discount with some insurers. Read about Class 4 impact-resistant shingles and insurance discounts before you choose materials.

Send your insurer the final invoice and the shingle product details after the work is done. That gives the underwriter an accurate picture of the roof's age and type.

What to do if your rate jumps after a claim

Ask your insurer which factors changed your renewal price. The answer often separates claim history, area-wide increases and changes in your home's value.

You can request a copy of your own CLUE report from LexisNexis and dispute anything that is wrong. Errors such as a claim listed against the wrong address are worth correcting.

Compare quotes from other insurers if the increase seems out of line. If you believe a claim was handled unfairly, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance takes consumer complaints.

Get a straight read on your roof

Buckshot Exteriors is family-owned, has served homeowners since 1979, and has offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Centerville, Iowa. Our on-site inspection is free, and if hail is involved, we meet your adjuster on site to document the damage.

Call (608) 909-9109 to schedule your free inspection, or send us a message and we will set a time. If you would rather start on your own, our insurance claims help page walks through the process step by step.