Expect a repair if…
- Damage is on the side or two that faced the storm
- Matching panels are still made
- Fewer than about a third of the panels on a wall are damaged
- Nothing is wet behind the siding
Ask about replacement if…
- Your siding color or profile is discontinued
- Damage covers three or more sides
- Older vinyl shattered widely in a cold-weather storm
- Water got behind the wall and the sheathing is soaked
What to do in the first week
- Note the storm date and take your own photos of every side, close and far.
- Cover any opening where wrap or sheathing is exposed, so water does not add a second claim.
- Get an inspection with a written report: panels damaged per wall, whether matching is available, and what is behind the siding.
- Call your insurer and file. Many policies require prompt notice; do not wait for spring.
- Have your contractor meet the adjuster if you can, so the damage is walked once, together.
Red flags after a storm
- Offers to cover or “eat” your deductible. You are required to pay your deductible; a contractor hiding it in the invoice is misrepresenting the claim.
- Pressure to sign on the spot, or a contract that hands the contractor control of your claim.
- No local address, or a truck with out-of-state plates that arrived after the storm.
- “The whole house is totaled” with no photos or panel count to back it up.
Hoosier Cladding is a contractor, not a public adjuster. We document damage and price the repair; your insurer decides what the policy covers.
How wind and hail deductibles work
Many Indiana and Michigan policies have a separate wind and hail deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, often 1 or 2 percent, instead of a flat amount. On a home insured for $250,000, a 1 percent deductible is $2,500. That is why small siding claims often fall below the deductible, and why a repair quote helps you decide whether filing is worth it.
The services involved
Questions people ask
Do insurance companies pay for siding replacement?
They pay for storm damage the policy covers, usually to repair what was damaged. They pay to replace more when matching material is not available or the damage is widespread, depending on the policy wording. Older policies may pay actual cash value first and the rest after the work is done.
Why is my wind and hail deductible so high?
Many policies set it as a percentage of the home’s insured value, often 1 or 2 percent, rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $250,000 policy, 1 percent is $2,500. Insurers use percentage deductibles in areas with frequent wind and hail claims.
Can a siding contractor pay my insurance deductible?
They should not. The deductible is your share of the loss under the policy. A contractor who offers to waive or absorb it is usually inflating the claim to cover it, which can put the homeowner at risk too. Treat the offer as a reason to get another quote.