Introduction
When strong winds blow and hail pelts your roof, one begins to wonder how much damage your roof will incur and how much you’ll have to pay. While home insurance doesn’t cover everything, most kinds of storm damage repairs are usually covered by insurance—provided certain conditions are met. This blog is here to help you understand in detail what damages are covered, the insurance claims procedure, and what steps to take in case of storm damage.
Factors Influencing Insurance Claims
If you’re a homeowner about to go through the stormy season, you might be worried about roof damage and insurance claims. While you may want to hear that “your insurance covers everything,” there are certain factors that come into play before the insurance claim process starts.
Here is a look at a few things that influence your insurance coverage.
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The type of damage
First and foremost, you need to keep in mind that insurance won’t cover every kind of damage your roof receives. If the damage is sudden and unexpected, you’re covered. If strong winds have blown branches or trees onto your roof during a hurricane or tornado, your insurance company will cover it. Similarly, blown-off tile replacement is also going to be covered.
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Routine maintenance
Next, consider whether you keep up with your roof maintenance. Do you regularly schedule reliable roofing contractors to conduct inspections and perform repairs? If the answer is yes, show your insurance provider the receipts so that they know that the damage wasn’t due to neglect on your part.
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The type of insurance you have
Not all home insurance policies are the same. Depending on the company you’re working with and the type of insurance you have, different types of property and personal belongings will be covered. The type of roof damage and the amount your insurance provider is liable to pay depends on the program you have.
Steps To Take After Storm Damage
Alright, now that you have a better understanding of how home insurance covers your roof’s damage, it’s important to understand what steps need to be taken in case you receive actual storm damage. If you fear that your roof has been compromised due to debris, lightning, or heavy rains, here is a look at a few things you should do.
Read on to find out the steps you should take.
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Stay Calm & Stay Safe
We understand that having your roof impacted during extreme weather conditions can raise a sense of alarm. However, it’s important to think rationally and prioritize your well-being so you don’t end up making even costlier mistakes.
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Document The Damage To Your Roof
Next, if possible, safely get to the roof and take several pictures of the missing tiles, cracked wood, or warped metal. This will prove imperative when filing for insurance claims.
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Reach Out To A Licensed Roofer
Having a reliable and experienced roofing contractor assess the situation and create a report is yet another factor that will strengthen your case to receive insurance coverage.
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Call Up Your Insurance Provider
Finally, reach out to your insurance provider and share all the evidence for your insurance claim. Make sure you do this as soon as possible to strengthen your case.
Roof Damage Insurance: Understanding The Process
Okay, you’ve reached out to the insurance provider. Now what? Well, the process will take a few days and will typically follow a few pre-determined steps. Here is an overview of how the insurance claim process will look.
Keep on reading to find out!
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File the complaint
First off, contact the insurance provider immediately after receiving storm damage. You can do this via e-mail, the insurance company’s app, or over the phone.
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Submit Evidence
Next, share all the pictures of the roof you took, receipts of roof maintenance, and the reports of the local roofers. This works to strengthen your claim.
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Cooperate with The Loss Adjuster
The company will send over an adjuster who will assess your roof on behalf of the insurance provider to check the legitimacy of your claim. They create comprehensive reports of the damage and send them to your insurance provider so that the claims process can continue.
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Pay The Excess
This is the amount that you need to pay before the insurance can kick in. In some cases, your insurance provider will directly cover the costs by paying the roofing contractor, but in other cases, the insurance provider will reimburse the damages to you, sans the excess.
Conclusion
To conclude, whether storm damage to your roof is covered by insurance is not a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Several factors, like the type of damage, the extent of maintenance, and detailed documentation, are necessary to file a successful insurance claim. We hope this blog helped you gain a better understanding of the roof insurance claim process. For more questions, drop us a line!
FAQs
How long after damage can I claim insurance?
The best time is as soon as possible.
How do insurance companies pay out claims?
They typically pay claims through direct deposit, electronic transfer, or printed cheques. Depending on the state you live in, the type of home insurance you have, the extent of damage, and whether you have a mortgage.
How long does the payout take?
The majority of insurance companies pay out within 30 days.
