As a homeowner, you may not be familiar with the insurance process and what is required of you when filing a roof damage claim. It is especially true following a major storm event. You may rely on your insurance adjuster to help guide you through the process. However, you need to be proactive and understand what your insurance adjuster is looking for when inspecting their roof for damage.

How to File an Insurance Claim for Your Roof?

Step 1: Call Our Insurance Agent

You will be asked to provide specific details about what happened and when and how much it will cost. Once this information is verified and you and your agent produce an estimated repair cost, the damage assessment process begins.

Step 2: Get an Estimate

Once your claim has been filed, contact several roofing companies (at least 3) for estimates on repairing your roof after hail damage. Note that companies that specialize in hail-damage repairs may give you a better idea of what needs to happen – and therefore an accurate estimate – than a company that does not specialize in this type of damage.

Step 3: Make Sure You Get it in Writing

Here is an important tip when dealing with insurance companies after hail damage: Be sure to get everything you discuss (and any subsequently authorized work). That way, if push comes to shove, later, you will have documentation that shows what your agent said and exactly what steps were agreed upon by everyone involved. It can help avoid confusion and keep things running smoothly for everyone involved in the claim process. Keep in mind, though; it is still ultimately up to your agent’s discretion to authorize or accept certain claims or repairs before they are completely finalized. So again, be sure paperwork is done upfront.

Step 4: Get Your Payment

When the work is completed, your insurance company may authorize payment without an adjustment, or they may request that they inspect the completed job first. If they request you to come out and inspect the work first, be sure to keep all receipts for any materials purchased just in case they ask you to reimburse them later (yes, this does happen). If everything checks out, you will receive a check for reimbursement of what your agent approved previously. Just make sure the roof repair work was complete before you start spending money on repairs – it can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks for them to process each claim, so do not bother waiting around (especially with hail damage).

Step 5: If There Are Problems

If there are problems with the roofing work, or if you feel shortchanged to the repair job, you can contact your insurance company and file a dispute. It is where having everything – including photos of the damage and receipts for materials used – in writing can be extremely helpful. The insurance company may send out an inspector to verify what was done, and from there, they will decide whether to authorize additional payment. When you are in a situation where you need to file an insurance claim, it is important to select the right insurance adjuster. The wrong adjuster can lead to frustration and a longer claims process.

How to Choose an Insurance Adjuster?

The most key factor in choosing public adjusters is their familiarity with your type of insurance policy (in this case, a roof damage claim). Many people mistakenly believe that all adjusters are created equal. However, insurance policies can be complex and specific, so it is important to select an adjuster who is familiar with the language of your policy.

Another key factor is the adjuster claims experience. An adjuster who has a lot of experience dealing with claims like yours. Will know what to do and how to get the job done. An experienced adjuster will also have many professional connections that he can use to ensure your case is handled on time. A good insurance adjuster will listen closely to what you are saying, help simplify complex issues, search for all available information about your claim with an open mind, and fight for the best possible outcome for you. When choosing an insurance adjuster, it is important to keep these factors in mind. Doing so will help ensure a smooth and successful claims process.

Why May Your Roof Claim be Denied?

You may be wondering why your roof insurance claim was denied. There are a few reasons this may happen, but most commonly, the damage to the roof was not caused by a covered peril. Here are some of the reasons:

• You did not file a claim for damage to your roof promptly.
• Your policy does not cover this type of loss (for example, you do not have enough insurance).
• Debris on the ground prevented water from entering your home when the roof was breached.
• Water entered through an unmonitored exhaust vent, or another opening in the roof of your home, allowing wind-driven rain to enter and cause damage inside your home.
• Heavy snow caused a breach somewhere on your roof. Still, it did not result in significant water damage because it melted so quickly after meeting an entrance surface inside your home, such as a windowsill or door threshold, etc. Often, the damage is minimal, and the homeowner will only be aware of a leak after they see peeling paint, discolored drywall, or other signs of water intrusion.
• A chimney located on an outside wall of your house caused the roof to fail because there was not enough weight-bearing capacity in the roof structure to hold up under heavy accumulation of ice and wind-driven rain.
• A tree branch with enough weight may have fallen on the roof, causing it to fail.
• High winds pushed debris through skylights or windows during severe weather, but you did not file a claim for this kind of loss either because:
  • You were unaware that storm window protection or impact glass would prevent such penetration
  • The damage was minimal, and you decided not to repair it
  • Or you procrastinated in making the repairs.

Tips for Filing a Roof Claim

Homeowners insurance is designed to protect you from a wide range of risks, including damage to your home. If your home suffers roof damage, it is important to take the steps necessary to file a claim. Here are a few tips for filing a roof claim:

Contact Your Insurance Company As Soon As Possible

It is important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after your roof has been damaged. It will help ensure that you receive the coverage you are entitled to.

Gather Evidence Of The Damage

To file a successful roof claim, you will need to provide evidence of the damage. It can include photos or video footage of the damage and receipts for any repairs that have been made.

Get A Roof Inspection

Most insurance companies will require a roof inspection before approving a claim. It will help them determine the extent of the damage and whether your policy covers the damage.

Cooperate With Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company will ask for additional information and documentation when you file a roof claim. Be sure to cooperate with their requests and promptly provide any information they need. Filing a roof claim can be a complex process but following these tips should make it easier to navigate. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you receive the coverage you are entitled to and get your home back in working order.