RV Hail Claims in Alberta: Photos, Timelines, Estimates

Start taking photos as soon as it's safe to go outside. Photograph each side of the RV from far enough back to get the whole wall in the frame, then move in close on dents, cracked lenses, broken roof vents and skylights. Dents on smooth aluminium or fibreglass siding usually show up best when you shoot at a low angle with light skimming across the surface.

If you can, record the date and location, and take photos of hail on the ground or save the weather alert on your phone. Don't climb onto a wet or damaged roof for pictures. Photograph what you can see from a ladder at the edge and leave the full roof check to someone with proper equipment.

If a vent, skylight or seam has cracked open, cover it with a tarp or temporary tape to keep rain out, and take photos before and after. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, and water getting inside can turn a hail claim into a much bigger repair.

Call your insurer or broker as soon as you know the RV was hit, even if you haven't counted every dent yet. Policies generally require prompt notice. Your own policy documents set out the exact rules on reporting deadlines and proof of loss, so read them or ask your broker directly.

Hail damage isn't always obvious right away. Small punctures in a roof membrane or hairline cracks in a fibreglass cap can let water in slowly, and the signs, like soft spots, ceiling stains or bubbling sidewalls, may not appear for weeks. Reporting early creates a record that ties the damage to a specific storm, which helps if more problems turn up later.

Keep a simple log of every call, email, claim number and adjuster name. After a big Alberta hailstorm, insurers and repair shops get busy, and a tidy paper trail keeps your file moving.

Your insurer may send an adjuster or ask you for repair estimates. A fair estimate covers more than the obvious dents. It should look at the roof membrane, roof vents, skylights, the air conditioner shroud, marker lights, awning fabric and hardware, window frames and the front and rear caps, because hail hits all of them.

Ask for an itemised estimate that lists parts and labour separately and says whether each item will be repaired or replaced. If the adjuster's figure seems low, ask what was included and request a re-inspection backed by a repair shop's written findings. Missing items are much easier to add before a claim is settled than after.

In most cases you can choose where your RV gets repaired. Pick a shop that works on RVs specifically, because RV roof membranes, siding and sealants are quite different from car bodywork.

If you aren't sure how much damage there is, Horton RV Services in Calgary can inspect the roof, sidewalls and caps and document what we find to support your claim. This is especially useful for roof damage you can't safely check yourself.

Once your claim is approved, we can handle the structural and exterior repairs, including roof work, resealing and any water damage the hail may have started. Bring your claim number and any adjuster report so we can match our work to what your insurer approved.