Are you thinking about filing a Roofing Insurance Claim? Here is all you need to know
Dealing with storm damage to your roof is not an enjoyable experience by any means, especially because it usually involves filing a homeowners insurance claim and filing a roofing insurance claim.
If you live in the Greater Atlanta area, you already know there is always a potential for severe weather with tropical storms, torrential downpours, high winds, and tornadoes. That is why, as a homeowner, it is crucial to understand how the roofing claims process works so you can move quickly towards fixing damage and minimizing further damage.
In this article, you will find all the answers you need to deal with your insurance company when you have storm damage to your roof and need to file a roofing insurance claim.
First things First: Be Prepared Before Storm Season
What is included in your roof coverage?
It’s a good idea to review your roofing insurance coverage each year to know what type of roof damage is covered under your policy and what is your our homeowners policy deductible will be if you file an insurance claim for your damaged roof in case you need a full roof replacement coverage.
Inquiring with your roofing company about the above questions before storm season will let you know exactly what your insurance company covers if a storm causes damage to your roof and can adjust it if needed. It also allows you to create a plan for setting aside the money you would need for your deductible if emergency roof repairs or replacement are required.
When Should You File Roofing Insurance Claims?
If you are hesitant to contact your insurance company, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Would the cost of repairs be greater than your deductible by a significant amount?
If this is the case, you should probably consider filing a roof claim. Significant and/or expensive damage should be your definition for which repairs require assistance of your insurance company coverage. As opposed, minor repairs less than your deductible or slightly above aren’t worth dealing with the homeowners insurance at all. You won’t get help paying the costs and could see a premium increase.
Is this your first claim in the last ten years?
You are safer filing a claim if you’ve filed few or no claims in the past. Insurance companies don’t expect you to be perfect, and some promise not to raise your rates for a first-time claim.
Is the damage due to negligence or poor maintenance, or was it damaged by something not covered under your insurance policy?
If so, then you shouldn’t file. You will not get any coverage or insurance payment for roof repairs or roof replacement. Still, the insurance company may raise your premium.
Beginning the Roofing Insurance Claim Process
When there is evident storm damage to your home, you must call your insurance company promptly to start the insurance claim process and get an insurance adjuster assigned to your case who will perform an insurance check and write a report of loss and determine the actual cash value. Additionally, as you file a claim, you should contact a roofing company to get you roof inspected and temporary repairs done to prevent further damage.
An experienced roofing contractor like Pro Roofing & Siding, with vast experience in the roofing insurance claim process, can take care of all the insurance paperwork for you and intercede on your behalf with the insurance adjuster to make sure you receive compensation to cover the cost for fixing your roof issues or getting your roof replaced if needed.
Here is what you could do as a homeowner when you file an insurance claim:
Offer proof by Taking Pictures Of The Roof Damage
If the roof is badly damaged and your home is unsafe, then you should be sure to stay somewhere else. Whether or not the roof damage seems significant, you'll want to record details about the damage as supporting evidence.
You can photograph any visible interior damage to show your insurance company, such as any active leaks or water stains growing on the walls and ceiling. Additionally, you can take pictures of roof damage that is visible from the ground level. For instance, you can walk around your home looking for fallen shingles in your yard; but whatever you do, avoid going on top for your own safety. A damaged roof can be highly fragile, and by stepping on it, you could worsen the existing damage, and most importantly, you can hurt yourself badly.
When filing roofing insurance claims, the best homeowners can do is have experienced roofing contractors inspect the damage for you. Some of them even use drones to fly over your roof and around the entire home. Drones allow contractors to capture and generate images and footage of the damage from all angles and perspectives. The difference between you and a professional contractor is that the contractor knows what to look for and will focus on collecting the most relevant proof to strengthen roof damage claims for better chances of success.
Schedule a Free Inspection
Find a roofing contractor who is also experienced with roofing insurance claims. They will know what the insurance company needs to see for the claim to go through. As such, they will come to your home and do a thorough roof inspection to determine the exact extension and severity of the damage and provide you with an accurate roofing estimate as to the cost of repairs or roof replacement. Additionally, they will help with temporary measures to prevent water from entering your home, like putting a tarp if needed.
Stick with a Local Roofing Contractor
Immediately after a big natural event like a hail storm, it is common for storm-chasing contractors to show up throughout the affected area looking to make a fast buck and take advantage of unexperienced homeowners. Their goal is to replace as many roofs as possible at a low cost for them and get out of town. These unethical roofing contractors can be hard to spot, but these tips will help you to be proactive in keeping them away. Stay alert and avoid getting scammed by one of those roofers.
How to Spot a Storm Chasing Roofer
Look Out For Out Of State Tags
Most storm chasers are not from the area. The license plates on their vehicles usually give them away.
Check For Local Licensing
Every state has its own set of laws. Storm chasers are never licensed locally since their business in the community is temporary.
Vague Contingency Agreements
Storm chasers make their money by submitting a lower roof replacement cost invoice to the homeowner while milking the insurance company for as much as they can. This is a fraud. Don’t sign any contingency agreements which do not specify the work to be done.
Listen Carefully To Their Offering
Quality roofing materials are very expensive and so is labor. A classic scam of most storm chasers is they can do the job for a huge discount (or almost free).
They Ask For Payment Upfront
No reputable roofing company would ever ask you to pay the whole amount upfront. Once you make payments like this it is likely you might never see them again.
In other words, to save you an expensive headache, we recommend reach out to a roofing company that is local to your area. You can even contact different contractors that do business in your community and get multiple estimates, but your best choice is to limit your options to reliable local roofing companies with a trackable record of satisfied customers, good online reviews, and preferably with an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau.
Why to Choose Pro Roofing & Siding to Help You with a Roofing Insurance Claim
Nearly every roofing contractor in the Marietta and Greater Atlanta area accepts working with most insurance companies, but few combine the years of industry experience guarantee you a stress-free experience when dealing with your insurance provider and insurance adjusters.
At Pro Roofing & Siding we will provide you with a free roof inspection to help you spot any kind of:
> Hail damage
Hail storms bring high-speed pellets, some the size of a baseball can crack the shingles and cause severe hail damage. Also, hail accumulates on the roof causing water damage.
> Water damage
It results from either thunderstorms or heavy snow. The accumulated sip through the roof begins leaking into the house. It can lead to rot, wall damage and mold growth.
> Wind damage
Tornado and thunderstorms cause high-speed winds. The shingles may be cracked, broken, curled and completely blown off from the roof. You might also find fallen tree branch on your roof brought by the wind.
Our restoration specialist will thoroughly inspect your roof looking for evidence of storm damage to help you file a roofing insurance claim and facilitate all you need for insurance paperwork and be a mediator with the public adjuster handling your case. Furthermore, our team will go above and beyond and do everything in our hands to make the process go as smooth as possible so it.
Once your insurance agrees to pay for the repair or replacement, we will perform a quality repair or help you install your new roof within an agreeable time frame. Regardless of the type of roofing material, we can guarantee a top-notch installation that will last as we are highly experienced with shingle, flat and metal roofing. Contact Pro Roofing & Siding today!
Contact Pro Roofing & Siding today!
The professional technicians at Pro Roofing and Siding have the proper training and certifications to help you with your metal roofing project. Contact us to request a Free Estimate!
Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Insurance Claims
If I file claim with my homeowners insurance, will my premiums automatically increase?
No, homeowners insurance companies cannot legally penalize you for making a damage claim caused by forces out of your control. This is exactly the types of things you insurance gets you covered for. It would be counterproductive for the insurance company to increase your premium every time you made a claim. If they did that, nobody would make a claim, and the purpose of insurance is irrelevant.
What should I do first? Call a roofer, or file my damage claim?
It is crucial that you call a roofing contractor to inspect your roof as soon as you notice the damage. This is so that the leak or water damage can be first taken care of and not lead to further damage. In the meanwhile, don't hesitate to call your insurer about the damage to get the process started.
How can I tell if I have enough roof damage to file a claim?
From the ground level, you might not be able to see all the signs of storm damage. Often times hail damage in a roof looks like small dents or divots in your shingles, and if ignored can lead to more significant issues down the line. That is why it is valuable to hire a local roofing company to get up on your roof and do a comprehensive inspection.
The damage doesn't look that bad, and I don’t want to file a roof damage claim. Can I just leave it?
Even if you don’t think the damage is that bad, you should still have it inspected and taken care of. Damages on your roof will not always be so obvious, and depending on the case, you might still have chances to get a new one covered by the insurance. That is why, before you make your decision on filing a claim, seek the advice of dependable roofing contractors.
Don't want to deal with your insurance company?
Whether you file a claim or not, get the roof leak or any other urgent repair as soon as possible as the damage will only worsen over time when neglected. Contact Pro Roofing & Siding today for any concern related to your roofing system. In case you need to pay out-of-pocket but don't have the money right away, we offer financing options to help you get started on that project you've been putting off.
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