Frank Fusco
Member
- Messages
- 12,791
- Location
- Mountain Home, Arkansas
When we bought our house about six years ago, I was very pleased that it has vinyl siding. We bought with several factors in mind, not the least of which is the very real fact that we are aging. A maintenance free exterior was a big plus. Wooden ye know it? In the first five years we had three hailstorms that did extensive damage to the house, mainly roof and siding. Two claims exceeded $15,000.00, the third just under $5,000.00. Our insurance company, Shelter, paid promptly and gave great service. But, I am hugely disappointed with the fact that the siding breaks so easily. It is very thin and brittle. Milk jugs are made of better quality plastic. Why (yep, I know, it's a rhetorical question) can't the manufacturers make the siding of a more flexible material? I approached the insurance company and asked if they could have a more expensive siding installed on the whole house, thus preventing more similar claims in the future. They would not do it because, by law, they cannot require me to stay with them as an insurer. Fortunately for me, in Arkansas, by law, an insurance company cannot drop a client or raise his rates for claims caused by acts of God.
I guess, after my venting, the message here is, if you are considering siding, do be willing to pay a lot more for a type that is hail resistant. It will be cheaper in the long run.
I guess, after my venting, the message here is, if you are considering siding, do be willing to pay a lot more for a type that is hail resistant. It will be cheaper in the long run.