How a Policy Review & Hailtrace Data Helped Secure a $1.1M Settlement

When hail season strikes Texas, it can leave behind significant damage—and complex insurance challenges. For one industrial investor in Mansfield, navigating a hail claim required more than simply reporting damage. It required forensic weather verification, strategic documentation, and expert negotiation.

The Challenge: Cosmetic Exclusions and the Wrong Date of Loss

After a heavy storm season, the property owner, who held three large industrial buildings, was advised by their contractor to file a claim using a recent storm date—July 11, 2023. Recognizing the potential challenges posed by the policy terms, the contractor recommended their client get a third-party review of the insurance policy to better understand what coverage and deductibles would apply.

During our initial policy review, we identified two critical issues:

• • • The policy included a cosmetic damage exclusion, which could be grounds for denial if the carrier believed the damage was superficial.
    • It carried a 2% deductible for hail and wind, which significantly impacted the net payout.

More importantly, during our review, we noticed the property owner was moving forward with a claim using July 11 as the date of loss. However, the damage being reported was significantly more severe and did not align with the 1–1.5 inch hail recorded on that date. We quickly advised the owner to pause any further action on the claim with the July 11 date of loss, as proceeding could result in the claim being denied as cosmetic or pre-existing damage.

Instead, we moved forward leveraging HailTrace.

The Solution: Leveraging HailTrace Historical Data

To verify the true cause of loss, our team turned to HailTrace, a weather forensics platform that delivers precise, date-stamped storm data.

Through HailTrace reports and historical records, we discovered that:

• • • A stronger storm occurred on June 12, 2023, producing hail over 3.5 inches in diameter.
    • The insured properties were located in the storm’s core impact zone, confirming the conditions necessary to cause functional damage.

This insight allowed us to accurately align the damage timeline. By combining the storm data with detailed photo and video evidence of the roof, we presented a clear picture of when—and how—the damage actually happened.

The Outcome: A Full Roof Replacement and Fair Settlement

By updating the date of loss, presenting conclusive HailTrace evidence, and ensuring the policy’s exclusions were fully accounted for, our team built a strong case demonstrating functional, storm-related damage.

The result:

• • • A $1.1 million settlement covering a full TPO roof replacement for all three buildings.
    • Avoidance of denial or partial payment due to incorrect storm attribution.
    • Faster negotiation because the evidence was clear and verifiable.

Why Accurate Storm Data Matters in Commercial Claims

Many property owners assume any recent storm can be used as the date of loss. But when it comes to insurance coverage, accuracy is everything.

Using the wrong date of loss can:

• • • Lead to denials for pre-existing or cosmetic damage.
    • Trigger policy exclusions you didn’t expect.
    • Delay the settlement process or reduce the payout.

HailTrace technology empowers property owners and their representatives to:

• • • Pinpoint exactly when damage occurred, using timestamped hail swaths and storm reports.
    • Validate claims with independent, third-party data carriers can’t easily dispute.
    • Strengthen negotiation leverage by clearly demonstrating functional, storm-related damage—not just cosmetic wear.
    • Avoid common pitfalls, such as mismatched timelines, incomplete documentation, or assumptions about storm severity.

This level of precision is often the difference between a denied claim and a fair settlement.

If you’re navigating a property damage claim, don’t leave your settlement to chance. Get a claim reviewtoday, and let our team review the policy, date of loss, and damage to ensure everything is working together for you.

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