Roofing Insurance Claims

After a major storm, it is natural for homeowners to assess any damage inflicted on their homes and belongings. Extreme weather, such as hail or hurricanes, can cause the most damage to a property, so it is important to thoroughly inspect for damage after one of these adverse weather events. If you have homeowner’s insurance,Read more  “Roofing Insurance Claims”

After a major storm, it is natural for homeowners to assess any damage inflicted on their homes and belongings. Extreme weather, such as hail or hurricanes, can cause the most damage to a property, so it is important to thoroughly inspect for damage after one of these adverse weather events. If you have homeowner’s insurance, you may be able to file a claim to help pay for repairs. Our team of experts can help you with the process.

How Can I Tell if My Roof Has Damage from a Storm?

Roofs are built to withstand all kinds of weather, but sometimes even the toughest roofing can’t stand up to extreme forms of weather. Usually, a hailstorm must last for several minutes or the hail must be the size of a golf ball before a roof is negatively impacted. If this is the case, you will want to immediately inspect your roof for signs of damage. With hurricane and hail damage, you may notice missing shingles, broken shingles, dented gutters and air conditioner, leaks, and water damage from newly formed holes in your roofing. High winds may also produce similar damage. If you are unsure whether you need roof repair after severe weather, you can call an expert roofing company to assess the damage.

What Should I Do if My Roof Has Weather Damage?

Whether your roofing damage is obvious or you can’t quite tell from the naked eye, an expert roofing company should be your first call. These professionals will thoroughly inspect your roof and supporting structures to see if you have a valid claim. A company that is practiced in roof insurance claims will be your best bet when it comes to completing this process. They will make sure nothing is left out and all of the applicable damage is covered. The best time to contact a roofing specialist is immediately after the storm. While you are waiting for an appointment, you can take pictures of all the damage you can see for documentation purposes. This will help prove your claim to the roofing insurance company. Typically, you can file a claim as late as two years after the damage was inflicted. However, some policies restrict claims to as little as a year afterward. It is best to check your specific policy before waiting to file.

How Does the Roofing Claim Process Work?

After contacting a roofing specialist to assess damage, you should then call your insurance company to start the claim process. They will send an adjuster to inspect the damage and offer a cost estimate on repair or replacement. They may also have you submit an estimate from a roofing contractor to determine how much they will cover for the repair or replacement. Because of this, you may not want to choose the cheapest roofing option in your area. Instead, it is best to choose a reputable company who will perform professional repairs that will last. This way you know you will have enough coverage to perform adequate work on your roof. During the adjuster inspection, you are allowed to have your contractor present to ensure nothing that they came across is missed. If you know there are hidden damages that may be missed, it is a good idea to schedule your contractor to be present during this inspection. The adjuster will view small samples of the roof, typically a 10 feet by 10 feet square, and determine whether the roof requires repair or replacement. Depending on your type of insurance, you may have a deductible you must meet before insurance will cover the cost of repair or replacement. If the cost of the damage is less than your deductible, then you will likely have to pay for the repair yourself. However, for total roofing replacements and significant repairs, it is worth it to file a claim and have most or all of the replacement covered. If your insurance adjuster agrees that the weather damage warrants a claim, you can begin the repair or replacement process. Remember, submitting a claim for this type of work will not increase your rates since it was of no fault of your own. Hail damage and other types of weather damage are usually covered under “acts of nature” in your insurance policy. When discussing the repair or replacement details with your contractor, you may want to consider prevention steps for future adverse weather. Your contractor can show you options that are best for your area and what will last longest so you don’t have to repeat this process any time soon.