Southeast Michigan gets hit hard by hailstorms every spring and summer — and every year, thousands of homeowners miss their window to file a valid claim. Here’s what you need to know about timing, and why waiting is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make.
Michigan’s Statute of Limitations on Property Claims
Michigan law generally gives homeowners one year from the date of loss to file a claim, and many policies have their own internal deadlines that are even shorter. Some policies require “prompt notice” — which courts have interpreted as a few weeks, not months.
If you wait too long, your carrier can deny your claim on the grounds of late reporting — even if the damage is clearly covered and clearly storm-related.
The “Storm Date” Problem
Hail damage is often invisible from the ground. Homeowners don’t know they have damage until a neighbor files a claim, a contractor knocks on the door, or they notice a leak months later. By then, the original storm date may be difficult to establish — and the damage may be harder to tie directly to a specific event.
This is where EagleView reports and NOAA storm data become critical. Phase III uses aerial measurement technology and verified storm records to establish the date and severity of hail events at your specific address — even months after the storm.
Depreciation Holdback Deadlines
If your insurance approved a claim and paid you ACV, there’s a separate deadline — often 180 days to 2 years — to complete the repairs and claim the depreciation holdback (the difference between ACV and RCV). If you miss that deadline, you forfeit the withheld funds.
We’ve seen homeowners lose $10,000-$20,000 in legitimate holdback funds simply because they didn’t understand the deadline or didn’t complete the work in time. Phase III tracks these dates for every client.
What to Do Right Now
If your home was near any SE Michigan hail event in the last 12 months and you haven’t had a professional inspection, call us. The inspection is free. If there’s no damage, you lose nothing. If there is damage, every day you wait is a day closer to missing your window.
Phase III Construction | (734) 237-7322 | Free Hail Inspections — Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw & Livingston Counties