How Do Storm Damage Insurance Claims Work?
With regards to insurance claims in the wake of experiencing storm damage, many complications can emerge all through the process. Particularly if your rooftop has been partially or completely blown off. Most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover roof repairs. But if yours does then a roof repair or full roof replacement after a storm damage shouldn’t cause you any worries.
Below you’ll learn what to be aware of when submitting an insurance claim after storm damage.
Assessing the Damage
Every insurance claim is unique and depends on the level of damage incurred. Filing for insurance claims such as an unhinged door or décor that has been blown away from your patio will most likely not go through. However, filing an insurance claim where there has been severe damage will most likely go through. After the storm has passed and it is safe to do so you can go outside to assess damage and identify areas that will require restoration or repair.
These are the areas that you should pay attention to.
- Check your roof for missing or blown-off shingles. The roof could have been completely or partially blown off in some cases.
- Your roof or property may sustain structural and foundational damage.
- Cracks in your roof, ceiling or walls
- Leakage – Make sure you check your attic, and any rooms that have a lot of windows. Water can seep into the smallest cracks and crevices.
- Fallout – Any fallen trees or other debris that falls on your roof or in the landscape.
- Broken glass and damage that may extend from the gas pipe to the water line or power supply.
- Gutters that are blocked, broken, or damaged on the roof.
- Flooding is a problem that can be found in basements or along exterior walls
Contact your homeowners insurance company
After the damage has been assessed and verified by an expert, you can call your insurance company. This is where you should provide details about the damage. To speed up the claim process, you might be asked to provide photos of the damage which will be sent to the appropriate department.
The representative will then provide you a claim number. An adjuster will call and schedule a day and time to inspect your property. The extent of damage that can be claimed depends on your homeowner’s policy. Once the damage is assessed and is worth being repaired, the claim can be approved and the work can begin.
Calling in a professional and reliable contractor
It is crucial to get in touch with an experienced and reliable contractor. It is important to only hire contractors who have worked with insurance claims. Because contractors may have an easier process for communicating and coordinating with the insurance company, which will be more efficient.
If you wish, you can request multiple estimates and opinions from different contractors. It may only mean that your insurance company approves the lowest cost option. Consider that the cheapest option might not be the best.
Pro-Tip: Be Proactive
Important to remember that an experienced storm damage contractor can help you settle your claim with your insurance company. This will ensure that your insurance company will pay for all work required to restore your property to pre-storm condition. You will only be responsible for the deductible.
Scammers are another reason to be cautious. A contractor that is not certified might ask for full payment upfront, please beware and avoid such contractors. In addition to that they may not have the tools or equipment necessary to complete the job efficiently. It is important that the damage claim be approved and paid for before any work can begin.
Insurance claims for roof repairs
A homeowner’s policy can pay for any roof repairs even partial, if it covers roof damage caused by weather-related events.
The insurance company may also pay for roof repairs in the event of material shortages or matching issues. If that is the case then a complete roof replacement might be necessary.
Post-Repair and Restoration
After the restoration and repair work is complete, the professional storm damage contractor will give your insurance provider all the documents necessary to release final payments and close the claim. This will depend on the extent of the damage and how long it took to repair.
The Key Takeaway
Storms can be dangerous and cause destruction. What counts is how quickly and efficiently you respond once damage has occurred. And the first thing that should come to mind is calling your favorite local storm damage contractor to confirm damages. They’ll assist you document all of the damage and make sure your insurance carrier covers the costs of restoring your property to its pre-storm condition.
Questions?
Call or Text Boss Roofing Today! 815-590-2677
