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Insurance Claim – Success Tips
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.
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