Not in all cases. Since weather damage isn’t caused by your negligence, your insurer typically won’t hike your rate. However, your rate may increase if you’ve filed a claim within the three previous years, and the hail claim is your second.
A public adjuster is a professional claims handler who advocates for the policyholder in appraising and negotiating a claimant’s insurance claim.
Their technical expertise and ability to interpret sometimes ambiguous insurance policies allow property owners to receive the maximum amount of indemnification for their claims.
Typically, a public adjuster will charge a percentage of whatever a policyholder’s insurance carrier ultimately pays for a claim. For example, say a policyholder hires an adjuster with a 25% fee and their insurance company ultimately pays $100,000 for their claim. The policyholder would then owe the public adjuster $25,000.
Typically, homeowners have one year to file a claim, but this can vary significantly. In some states, you may have two years. In Illinois you have up to three years to file a claim.
A good rule of thumb is to save your homeowners insurance claims for damages difficult to pay out of pocket. For example, one extensive house fire could render your home’s structure and contents a total loss. Such a catastrophic event is a prime example of when homeowners insurance can literally save your finances.
