One of the most difficult times of your life is dealing with roof damage, a roofing insurance claim, and the general aftermath of a big storm, hurricane, or other natural disaster. Capstone Roofing is here to help by offering this comprehensive roof insurance claim guide to walk you through the insurance claim process.
It’s always important to make sure your property is safe for your family and your visitors. Managing the roofing insurance claim process is complex and includes insurance adjusters, contractors who specialize in the type of roofing system you had, and, in many cases, your own insurance and mortgage companies.
The insurance claim process can be stressful. Not only are you dealing with substantial damage to your roof, but you’ll also have to manage the potential loss of business that might arise from not being able to completely use your property. Couple that with constant follow-ups with adjusters and roofers who specialize in the types of roofing claims you’re dealing with, and it’s easy to see why this process is overwhelming!
First, you should immediately assess the condition of your roof after a natural disaster or big storm (especially if there was hail). Make sure everyone is safe and the property is safe to enter. If you see any apparent damage, leaks, or other issues with your roof, call your roofing contractor to inspect it. You can also ask around for a reliable contractor if you don’t have one already.
Although it can look like your roof is perfectly fine from the outside, it is crucial to check it after any major weather event. It’s better to spot damage early on to prevent costly leaks and repairs. Homeowners often assume their roof is impenetrable and will hold up for years without any inspections or repairs. However, like all major household fixtures, rooftops will eventually wear down and break. Even the strongest of roofs endure damage that only a trained eye can see. Roof damage can lead to leaks, which may indicate much larger problems like structural issues or mold growth.
Capstone Roofing can help with your roof inspections and guide you throughout the process. Our professionals will give you a report on the condition of your roof and what, if any, repairs are necessary. Upon request, you will receive a detailed cost estimate approximately two days after your inspection. This way, when the monsoon season arrives, you can relax knowing your roof is in quality condition.
Keep in mind that wind can blow off shingles or other coverings, eventually causing leaks or damage to underlying membranes. Hail damage can create small imperfections that will grow larger and more problematic over time. Furthermore, natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornados can require a complete replacement of your roof.
Make sure to check your insurance policy or speak to a local roofing contractor. There may be some policies that have requirements regarding how long you can wait after a major storm or disaster and still have your roof repairs covered under the policy. The best rule of thumb is to always have your roof inspected as soon as possible after a major weather event.
Understand that the insurance process can be lengthy and require a great deal of paperwork, testing, and follow-up. A public adjuster and your roofing team can act as your representatives and guide you through the process.
Take photographs and videos of the condition of your new property right from the start. This will expedite the insurance claims process, and your roofing crew will appreciate it. This is especially important after some form of maintenance has been completed. You should also take pictures before and after any major disaster, especially ones involving heavy winds. Strong winds can cause significant long-term vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent.
Make sure all of your documents (pictures and videos) are stamped with the date and time. Take several pictures from as many angles as possible for your home or building. There are applications for that on iPhone, Android, and Windows phones.
Video walkthroughs will also assist you in capturing it all. When it comes time to file a roof-related damage claim with your insurance firm, the more information you have, the more credible your arguments would be.
Taking pictures is something that will help you in the long run. Always log the condition of your roof after a windstorm, hail storm, tornado, or other natural disaster. Take pictures and videos of everything, but focus particularly on any obvious damage or weak spots.
You should request photographs of the damaged areas, a written description of what needs to be repaired, and an estimation of the repair costs.
If you have damage but not enough to justify filing an insurance claim, your local roofing contractor will most likely be able to work out a repair plan with you. More serious damage, or even a complete loss, would necessitate working with the insurance provider, which will require you to have evidence of roof damage. Here you will be using all documentation of the damage you collected.
Insurance company representatives, no matter how polite and supportive, are on the insurance company’s side when you file an insurance roof repair claim for roof damage. You should also consider your property’s roofing system—if it has sustained significant damage, you should contact your public adjuster or a roofing firm through your insurance company as soon as possible.
This step is very important because it will assist you in determining not only what is protected, but also the applicable statute of limitations for disclosing damage and the types of roof leak repair or damages that are or are not covered.
Most insurance plans can spell out exactly what is and isn’t covered, so if you have any concerns you can always consult a local roofing contractor or public adjuster.
When you file a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage, keep in mind that the insurance company will send out its own adjuster to assess the damage to your roof and determine how much the insurance company will pay for roof repairs.
If your roof has been damaged by a storm or wind, you’ll want to have it fixed or replaced as soon as possible. You’ll also want to get a payout and repairs as soon as possible.
A roofing company and your insurance agent should be the first people you call. You should also be aware that, depending on recoverable depreciation and the age of your roof, your insurance provider might withhold depreciation or a portion of your payment to ensure that you actually do the work on your roof with the money. People sometimes keep the insurance money meant for their roof and use it for something else, especially if their roof isn’t a complete loss.
If the roofing contractors you hire send you estimates that are considerably higher than your possible insurance payout or vice versa, they most likely overlooked something in the scope of work. You’ll need to work with them to get the estimates updated to be more realistic for your needs.
If your roof insurance claim is entirely or partly protected by your current insurance policy, you’ll be able to fix or replace your roof.
If you don’t already have a contractor, be sure to ask for references and examples of prior job experience; the insurance provider or public adjuster should offer recommendations. Give yourself the freedom of shopping around. Obtain several estimates from different vendors to ensure you are not being overcharged.
You may or may not want your contractor to see the possible insurance payment before preparing their estimate. On one hand, they’ll have a better understanding of the budget and will inform you accordingly. On the other hand, they’ll be able to make sure they get the most out of the payout and charge you accordingly.
You can always ask for additional information and contact Capstone Roofing.
When you are looking to hire a commercial roofing Fountain Hills company, it is important to choose a contractor that you can trust and that you know performs good work. Capstone Roofing is an A+ rated roofing contractor with the Better Business Bureau and has 38+ years of experience operating in the Valley.
Understand that not every roofing contractor can assist with insurance claims. This isn’t to say they don’t do good work; it’s just not their field of practice. However, some will have adjusters on board who can assist you with every phase of the roof insurance claim process.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for contingency contracts when you go through the homeowners insurance claim process for roof repairs or replacement. There are offers to provide a free inspection report and repair estimate for your insurance company, but they also bind you to the roofing company that provided the inspection and estimate.
Before inspecting the damage to your roof and giving you an estimate for the repair costs, a professional contractor would not ask you to sign something.
Before signing something, do your homework! An appraisal should be free of charge and something they have in order to win your trust. Always seek the advice of a public adjuster or the insurance adjuster.
Filing a roof insurance claim can seem endless, particularly if the roof damage is preventing you from doing business.
This is why partnering with a reputable adjuster and a skilled roofing contractor is critical–not only for your house, but also for your company.
They’ll be there with you during the entire process, guiding you through all of your paperwork and documentation. They will keep everything in order and send the documentation to your insurance provider properly. A reliable roofing contractor will assist you until your roof is fixed, restored, or replaced.
Know that hail storms, wind storms, and other natural disaster damages are all covered by your insurance policy as damages. Maintain communication with everyone included in the process and the entire roof insurance claim process will go smoothly.
You can reference this roof insurance claim guide anytime as you go through your individual claims process.