The effects of Mother Nature can be very damaging to homes especially along the coastline. If your home has suffered roof storm damage, it is important that you have the damage repaired quickly. Your roof provides your home with its first line of protection from the elements. Any damage can result in increased damage to your home.
Most insurance policies limit the amount of time you have to make a claim after an event such as a storm. It can really pay off to act as quickly as possible. If you wait too long, you may not even be able to make a claim. Plus, you could find yourself dealing with dripping water, mold growing in the walls, ceiling and attic and even roof cave-ins.
Roof storm damage due to harsh weather is something that troubles a homeowner. Many times, you aren’t sure of how to handle the insurance claim. The best thing you can do is to hire a high quality roofing contractor that has your interests in mind. Be wary of storm chaser roofing companies that appear any time there is a large storm or natural disaster. This will ensure that you get the highest quality service, and results that are in your best interest.
In addition, never meet with the insurance adjuster alone. Hire an experienced roofing contractor who knows the codes and laws around storm damage. They can help the adjuster understand what roof storm damage has occurred and what it will take to fix it. In our experience, some homeowners have hurt their chances of getting paid on a claim because they didn’t know the nuances of roof repair.
Listen to our podcast about filing a claim and not getting ripped off by out-of-state storm chasers:
How to make an insurance claim after roof storm damage
Naturally, the claims process will vary from carrier to carrier. However, your insurance company may try to deny your claim in order to maintain as much profitability as possible. Your best defense whenever this happens is persistence and a thorough understanding of your insurance policy. Here are a few tips on what to do to prepare to make your claim.
- Start by assessing all of the damage done by the storm. Take careful notes, including the date of the incident and any damage that you can see. You can also take pictures of any damage.
- Meet with your local roofing contractor to begin obtaining estimates. Ask them to help you deal with the insurance adjuster when they come out to perform a full roof inspection. We highly recommend that you have a roofing contractor present during the inspection. You want to be sure that the adjuster sees everything that needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Don’t take no for an answer. If your home has been damaged by a storm in any way, it can lead to decreased value and future damage if not repaired quickly. Insist on meeting with another adjuster.
- Once your claim has been approved, the contractor of your choice can begin repairing the damage.
Although the entire process can be intimidating and the number of steps involved makes it seem rather lengthy and tedious, filing an insurance claim is a fairly easy process. With a little due diligence, proper research, and a high quality roofing contractor, you can have both the claims process and the repairs completed in no time.
Additional tips
Here are a few additional tips to help you along the way:
- Always hire a high quality roofing contractor that has experience dealing with insurance companies. Don’t opt for the cheapest one that you can find.
- Even though most policies give you up to two years to file a claim, know your policy and don’t wait! The sooner you file the claim, the faster you can get the damage repaired.
- Understand your policy as thoroughly as possible.
- Avoid fly-by-night contractors.
- Roof storm damage claims should not increase your rates.
Often roof storm damage is not visible to the naked eye. Partnering with a reputable roofing contractor who understands the issues is a benefit. If you do find storm damage, let your roofing contractor guide you through the insurance claim process. They can ensure that the scope of work required is correct and documented. Then you will be able to get the damage fixed the right way the first time.