Discovering significant damage to your roof can be a stressful time for most homeowners. Having to navigate the insurance claim process can require lots of follow-ups with insurance adjusters, roofing contractors, and in some cases your mortgage company. To ensure you can handle the insurance claim process from start to finish, Claims Pro Restoration recommends you follow these five steps.
#1 – Look for damage immediately after a storm
If you suspect your roof is damaged, call a reputable and licensed roofing contractor to come and inspect your roof. Keep in mind that even if your roof looks intact from the outside, there could be significant internal damage that only a trained roofing specialist can identify. Some insurance policies have stipulations that detail how long you can wait after the damage has occurred to your roof and still have the damage covered under your insurance policy. After a severe storm and as soon as it is safe to do so, have your roof inspected.
#2 – Take pictures and document details related to the damage
An experienced roofer will know where to look for damage and will be thorough in documenting the damage and how extensive it is. They will often take pictures of damaged areas and submit to you a written explanation of what needs to be repaired and the estimated cost to repair. In some cases, you may have roof damage that is not major enough to warrant an insurance claim and in this case, your preferred roofing contractor can work with you to plan how to repair your roof. In other cases, you will need to get your homeowner’s insurance company involved and will need to provide proof of damage, including measurements, the events of that caused the damage, and dates and times the damage occurred.
It is always good practice to take periodic pictures of your roof, especially after maintenance has been completed. Be sure the images are clear and well labeled with the date and time. If possible take several pictures from various angles to accurately show the entirety of your roof and the state of your shingles. This way you can make a more compelling argument and will have visual proof to justify that the damaged areas were not present before the weather event and were a direct result of the weather event.
#3 – Contact your insurance company and find out what your policy covers
When dealing with extensive roof damage, be sure to contact your insurance company immediately. If you wait too long, you may not be able to submit the claim. Always have a current policy of your homeowner’s insurance handy to review to see what statute of limitations may be in place for reporting damage and what types of roof damage are and are not covered. Keep in mind that some homeowner’s policies have additional guidance detailing the amount of damage that will be covered. For instance, if your roof is more than ten years old, your insurance company may only cover a portion of the roof replacement cost, based on the depreciated value of your roof. If you are ever unsure of the exact roofing insurance coverage you have, contact your insurance provider. When you submit your roof insurance claim, an insurance adjuster will be sent to inspect the damaged areas and determine the cost that the insurance company will pay out to repair or replacspecialists with
Choose a roofing contractor with insurance expertise
Assuming your roof insurance claim is covered under your existing homeowner’s policy, you will be given funds to repair the damage. You can choose the roofing contractor to complete repairs or replace your entire roof. When selecting a reputable contractor, be sure to ask for references and only use licensed and insured roofing professionals. It is okay to shop around and get multiple estimates to replace your roof. This way you can be sure you’re not being overcharged, and you’ll have more information at your disposal to choose a qualified roofing contractor that you feel will complete the job. Not every roofing contractor will provide insurance claim assistance while others may have insurance adjusters on staff to help you with every detail of your roof damage claim. At Claims Pro Restoration, we are insurance claim specialists with licensed insurance adjusters on staff who will work with you to make sure your claim is submitted promptly, and you can get the maximum reimbursement for your roof replacement.
#5 – Go WITH SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST
Getting roof damage covered by your insurance company can be a tedious and lengthy process. By partnering with a certified and well-known roofing contractor, they can work with you to make sure your roof damage is submitted correctly to your insurance company and the roof replacement is done quickly and accurately. The roof replacement experts at Claims Pro Restoration are well versed in handling roof insurance claims and restoring your home back to its original glory. If your roof was recently damaged by a severe weather event, call our inspection team at 512-784-2537. We will be happy to schedule a free roof inspection, document the damage, and give you an estimate to start your roof insurance claim.