A roof is an indispensable part of any home as it protects homeowners all-year round from various weather conditions. That said, you will want peace of mind should something untoward happen to your roof and you require storm damage roof restoration services. You can achieve this by making sure your roof is insured.
In today’s blog post, The Pinnacle Group, your contractor, shares the process behind claiming your roof insurance, along with some tips to help everything go smoothly. We’ll also share the important things you need to know when dealing with a roof insurance adjuster and how to handle an insurance roof inspection.
How Do Roof Damage Insurance Claims Work?
The majority of home insurance policies cover unexpected roof damage, also known as “acts of God.” If a portion of your roof was damaged by heavy winds or fallen debris, your insurance provider can shoulder the cost of restoring your roof to its pre-damaged condition. However, one should note that getting a roof insurance claim isn’t as simple as it might sound.
For one, there are certain clauses which may differ among insurance providers. For example, an insurance provider can cover the full value of your roof if it’s less than 10 years old. Anything exceeding that would only reimburse you for the depreciated value of your roofing system. If you don’t have a policy, you’ll have to shoulder hail damage roof restoration costs on your own. Here’s how an ideal roof damage insurance claim process works:
1. Check Your Area After a Hailstorm. Try to see if your roof has sustained any significant damage. Don’t go up the roof by yourself; have a professional roof inspector check your roof as its condition is still uncertain. You can still get a slight idea of what’s going on by checking your attic or any areas of your home for any signs of leaks. If you notice any gaping holes, try to cover them up with a tarp or any other makeshift materials to prevent flooding within your household
2. Contact Your Insurance Provider ASAP. Call them after your home has been damaged to start the claims process. They will provide you with a claim number and will keep in touch to provide further instructions. If your roof has sustained significant damage, they will recommend calling a hail damage roof repair contractor to mitigate further damage.
3. Wait for the Insurance Adjuster. Your insurance provider will send an insurance adjuster to inspect your house and assess the scale of the damage. The adjuster will then decide what is going to be covered based on their inspection.
4. Your Provider Processes Your Insurance Claim. Once the insurance adjuster has made all the necessary inspections, your insurance company will then cover the cost of storm damage roof replacement , depending on the stipulations of your policy.
What Isn’t Covered by Your Roof Damage Insurance?
There are a few cases when your insurance won’t be covered and they stem from a homeowner’s neglect or natural deterioration. Listed below are common cases that aren’t covered:
1. Wear and Tear Due to an Aging Roof. It goes without saying that insurance providers won’t cover the damage caused by natural wear and tear on a roof that has otherwise performed properly for years.
2. Damage Caused by Lack of Maintenance. Your insurance provider won’t cover damage that is caused by a homeowner neglecting regular maintenance. For example, if you have a roof leak for a couple of years that’s left unattended, your wind damage roof restoration cost won’t be covered since you didn’t address the issue immediately and let the issue grow over time.
3. Lack of Immediate Action after Storm Damage. If a homeowner fails to make any makeshift restorations such as putting a tarp over a leaking area after a storm hits your area, they won’t be covered as this would cause more water damage than there was originally.
How to Handle Roof Inspections
Getting an accurate and truthful roof inspection can make or break your insurance claim. An accurate estimate lets you start your claim on a good note. This establishes the exact amount that you need from your insurance provider as having an inaccurate estimate could lead to your claim being denied along the way. We also recommend having a public adjuster look at your roof and compare it with your provider’s assessment to determine if there are any discrepancies with their assessments. This will help you understand the entire situation of your roof damage claim.
Do you need the services of a hailstorm or wind damage roof repair specialist? Call on The Pinnacle Group! We pride ourselves by getting the job done right the first time around. We’re a GAF® Certified roofing contractor, so you can expect nothing but the best from us. Contact us at (804) 368-8798 or fill out our contact form for a FREE estimate.