Storm-damaged siding in Pittston
A hard wind or a falling limb can strip siding off in minutes. Here is what to do first, how to document it, and what to expect from a contractor and your insurer.
Right after the storm
- Stay safe. Keep away from downed wires and loose panels or trim that could fall.
- Photograph everything from the ground: each side of the house, close-ups of damage, and anything that hit the house.
- Cover openings if sheathing or insulation is exposed and rain is coming. A tarp and a few battens is enough for now.
- Keep the pieces. Loose panels help a contractor match the profile and color.
- Call your insurer to ask how to start a claim and whether they want an adjuster to see it first.
How insurance usually works
Homeowner policies differ, so read yours or ask your agent. In general, wind and hail damage is a covered peril in standard homeowner policies, while gradual wear and lack of maintenance are not. Never assume a claim will be paid. Also:
- The adjuster decides what is covered and writes up the damage. Ask for a copy of the estimate.
- Your deductible comes first. Some policies use a separate wind and hail deductible set as a percentage of the home’s insured value. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s example: a 2% deductible on a $200,000 policy means you pay the first $4,000.
- Matching can be a question. If the old color or profile is no longer made, ask your insurer how they handle a side that will not match.
- You choose the contractor. Your insurer may suggest one, but in most cases you can get your own estimate.
Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door after a storm asking you to sign over your insurance claim. Read anything you sign, and check the contractor’s Pennsylvania home improvement registration number on the Attorney General’s website first.
What a contractor checks
- How far the damage goes: one panel, one wall, or the whole side of the house.
- Whether water got behind the siding, into the sheathing or insulation.
- Whether matching panels are still available.
- Trim, soffit, gutters and windows on the same side.
Request a storm damage visit
Send a request and choose “Storm or wind damage.” Say when the storm was, which side of the house is damaged, and whether you have started a claim.
Planning to replace everything instead? See vinyl siding replacement.
Sources: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, homeowners insurance guide; Insurance Information Institute. This page is general information, not insurance advice.