Siding Insurance Claims: Complete Guide for PA & NJ Homeowners

# Filing a Siding Insurance Claim: The Complete Guide Your siding got damaged in a storm. Now what? Insurance claims can be confusing, but they don't have to be. Here's exactly what to do—and what not to do—to get your claim approved and your home repaired properly. ## What Siding Damage Is Covered by Insurance ### Typically Covered **Storm damage:** - Wind damage (panels blown off, lifted, or cracked) - Hail damage (dents, cracks, holes) - Lightning strikes - Tornado damage **Falling objects:** - Tree or branch impacts - Debris from storms - Neighbor's property **Sudden accidents:** - Vehicle impacts - Vandalism - Fire damage ### Usually NOT Covered **Wear and tear:** - Gradual fading - Normal aging - Weathering over time **Maintenance issues:** - Damage from neglected repairs - Rot that developed over years - Pest damage from ongoing infestation **Flooding:** - Rising water damage (requires separate flood policy) - Groundwater intrusion **Cosmetic-only policies:** Many newer policies exclude "cosmetic damage"—this is important for hail claims where siding is dented but still functional. **Check your policy.** Not all policies are the same. Some have specific exclusions for siding or hail damage. ## Step-by-Step: Filing Your Claim ### Step 1: Document Everything Immediately Before any repairs (even temporary ones), document the damage: **Photos to take:** - Wide shots showing overall damage - Close-ups of each damaged area - Interior shots if water got in - Shots of debris that caused damage - Photos showing your address (mailbox, house number) **Information to record:** - Date and time of damage - Weather conditions - Description of what happened - Contact info for any witnesses **Pro tip:** Take a video walkthrough too. Videos capture things photos miss. ### Step 2: Prevent Further Damage Your policy requires you to prevent additional damage. This means: - Cover holes with tarps or plastic - Board up large openings - Remove debris that could cause more damage Keep receipts for any materials you buy. These emergency expenses are typically reimbursable. See our [emergency siding repair guide](/blog/emergency-siding-repair-guide) for specific temporary protection steps. ### Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company **When to call:** Within 24-48 hours if possible. Most policies require "prompt" notification. **What to have ready:** - Policy number - Date of damage - Brief description of damage - Your contact information **What to ask:** - Claim number - Name of your adjuster - Timeline for inspection - Any specific documentation they need **Document the call:** Note who you spoke with, when, and what was said. ### Step 4: Get a Professional Damage Assessment Before the adjuster arrives, have a contractor assess the damage: **Why this matters:** - Contractors often find damage homeowners miss - Professional assessment documents hidden damage - Provides comparison point for adjuster's assessment - Ensures nothing is overlooked **What a good assessment includes:** - All damaged panels counted and documented - Damage to underlying materials (house wrap, sheathing) - Related damage (trim, soffit, fascia) - Photos with measurements - Written repair/replacement estimate We provide detailed insurance assessments at no cost. Call **** to schedule. ### Step 5: Meet with the Insurance Adjuster **Preparation:** - Have your documentation ready - Have contractor's assessment available - Be present for the inspection (or have someone there) - Point out all damage, including items you might overlook **During the inspection:** - Walk through all damage with the adjuster - Show photos and documentation - Ask questions about anything unclear - Get a copy of their assessment **Red flags:** - Adjuster only looks at obvious damage - Refuses to check underlying materials - Rushes through inspection - Doesn't document all damage you've shown ### Step 6: Review the Settlement Offer **What you'll receive:** - Scope of work (what they're paying to fix) - Actual Cash Value (ACV) - minus depreciation - Replacement Cost Value (RCV) - full replacement cost - Deductible amount **ACV vs. RCV:** - ACV: You get paid for current value (cost minus depreciation) - RCV: You get paid full replacement cost Most policies are RCV, but they pay in two parts: 1. Initial payment = RCV minus depreciation minus deductible 2. Recoverable depreciation = paid after repairs are complete **Example:** - Replacement cost: $15,000 - Depreciation: $3,000 - Deductible: $1,000 Initial payment: $15,000 - $3,000 - $1,000 = **$11,000** After repairs complete: **$3,000** (depreciation recovery) ### Step 7: Don't Accept a Low Offer If the offer seems low, you have options: **Request re-inspection:** Point to specific damage not included in their scope. **Get a second opinion:** Have another contractor review the adjuster's assessment. **File a supplement:** When additional damage is found during repairs, file a supplemental claim. **Hire a public adjuster:** They work for you (not the insurance company) and typically take 10-15% of claim. **Request appraisal:** Most policies have an appraisal process for disputes. ## Common Claim Mistakes to Avoid ### Mistake 1: Accepting First Offer Without Question Insurance companies are businesses. Their first offer often isn't their best offer. Review carefully and push back on anything that seems wrong. ### Mistake 2: Not Documenting Hidden Damage Siding damage often means underlying damage: - Water-damaged sheathing - Wet insulation - Compromised house wrap Make sure your claim includes inspection of underlying materials. ### Mistake 3: Doing Permanent Repairs Before Claim Is Filed Temporary protection is fine (and required). But don't do permanent repairs until: - Adjuster has inspected - Claim is approved - You have documentation of all damage ### Mistake 4: Choosing the Cheapest Contractor Your contractor is your partner in the claims process. Choose based on: - Experience with insurance work - Willingness to meet with adjusters - Ability to document and justify repairs - Quality of work Cheap contractors often cut corners, which can void your warranty and leave problems. ### Mistake 5: Forgetting About Related Damage Siding damage rarely happens alone. Make sure your claim includes: - Trim and fascia damage - Soffit damage - Window and door frame damage - Gutter damage - Any interior water damage ### Mistake 6: Missing Deadlines Most policies have time limits: - Reporting deadline (usually 30-60 days) - Repair completion deadline (often 1-2 years) - Depreciation recovery deadline (varies) Check your policy and don't miss these dates. ## Working with Contractors on Insurance Claims ### What Good Insurance Contractors Do **Before the adjuster visit:** - Complete damage assessment - Detailed documentation with photos - Written estimate with line items - Help prepare you for adjuster meeting **During the process:** - Meet with adjuster on your behalf - Point out all damage (including hidden) - Provide professional justification for repairs - Challenge inadequate assessments **After approval:** - File supplements for additional damage found - Complete repairs to insurance-approved scope - Document completed work for depreciation recovery - Handle warranty and certification requirements ### Red Flags in Contractors Avoid contractors who: - Chase storms and show up uninvited - Pressure you to sign immediately - Offer to waive your deductible (this is insurance fraud) - Want large payments upfront - Can't provide local references and licensing - Promise to "maximize" your claim (implies fraud) ### How We Handle Insurance Claims Our process: 1. **Free damage assessment** - detailed documentation 2. **Insurance consultation** - explain coverage, timeline 3. **Adjuster meeting** - we meet with them, show all damage 4. **Scope review** - verify their scope covers everything 5. **Supplement filing** - for any missed items 6. **Quality repair** - complete work to manufacturer specs 7. **Documentation** - for depreciation recovery We've handled hundreds of insurance siding claims throughout the Lehigh Valley. ## Material-Specific Claim Considerations ### Vinyl Siding Claims **Common damage:** - Cracks (especially in cold weather) - Panels blown off - Impact holes **Claim issues:** - "Cosmetic damage" exclusions may apply to dents - Color matching can be difficult (may justify larger replacement) - Proper documentation of brittle cracking ### James Hardie/Fiber Cement Claims **Common damage:** - Impact cracks from hail or debris - Chips at edges - Panel fractures **Claim issues:** - Hairline cracks may not be visible initially - Matching ColorPlus colors requires full panel replacement - Moisture damage behind panels For more on fiber cement, see our [James Hardie siding guide](/blog/james-hardie-siding-cost-2026). ### LP SmartSide Claims **Common damage:** - Surface impacts (usually doesn't crack) - Paint damage from impacts - Edge damage if sealing failed **Claim issues:** - Dents may qualify as cosmetic only - Paint matching can require larger area repainting - Edge damage may indicate installation issues ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Will my rates go up if I file a claim? Possibly. Rates can increase after claims, especially if you file multiple. However, not filing means paying for damage out of pocket. Weigh the costs. ### What's my deductible for siding damage? Check your policy. Standard deductibles are $500-$2,500. Some policies have separate, higher deductibles for wind/hail. ### How long does the claim process take? Typically 2-6 weeks from filing to approval. Complex claims or disputes can take months. ### Can I choose my own contractor? Yes. Insurance companies may recommend contractors, but you're not required to use them. ### What if damage is found during repairs? File a supplement claim. This is common and expected. Document the additional damage and submit to your adjuster. ### Should I file a claim for minor damage? Consider: Is the damage more than your deductible? Could minor damage indicate larger issues? Might it get worse? Sometimes a professional assessment helps decide. ### Do I have to replace with the same material? Usually, insurance pays for "like kind and quality." If your exact siding is discontinued, they should pay for equivalent replacement. ## Get Help with Your Claim Dealing with insurance after storm damage is stressful. We can help. **What we offer:** - Free damage assessment and documentation - Insurance adjuster meetings - Claim scope review - Supplement filing - Quality repair work **Areas served:** - Lehigh Valley PA - Philadelphia suburbs - Northern New Jersey **Call ** for a free assessment. We'll document the damage and help you understand your options. ## Related Resources - [Emergency Siding Repair Guide](/blog/emergency-siding-repair-guide) - [Siding Repair vs. Replacement](/blog/siding-repair-vs-replacement) - [Storm Damage Roof Repair](/blog/storm-damage-roof-repair-guide) - [Siding Replacement Cost Guide](/blog/siding-replacement-cost-pa-nj-2026) - [Signs You Need New Siding](/blog/signs-you-need-new-siding) --- *VM Power Exteriors helps homeowners throughout PA and NJ with insurance siding claims. James Hardie Elite Preferred, GAF Master Elite certified. Licensed in PA, NJ, and NY.*