When your roof has been damaged, it can be a little unsettling to go through the process of filing a claim and getting it repaired. This is because you will need to handle the claim itself, talk to adjusters, and ensure that you get reimbursed for all the repairs that are needed. Therefore, it is important to know how to make an insurance claim from hail damage so that you get your reimbursement for having it repaired.
For insurance companies that cover the home, the roof is certainly the most important part of the structure at least in their eyes. That’s why homeowner’s insurance generally covers damage to the roof caused by hail or other natural sources such as wind. However, there is a procedure that you must follow in order to file the appropriate claim and receive the reimbursement you need for repairs.
Does Your Insurance Cover the Damage?
In most home owner’s insurance policies, the answer is yes. However, there may be caveats in the policy itself that may actually deny your claim. One of the most important aspects is the age of the roof itself. If it is under 10 years old in most cases you will be reimbursed for the full value of repairs or replacement.However, if it is over 10 years old then you will only be covered for its depreciated value which means that more money is going to come from your pocket to repair or replace the roof.
Insurance companies will try to separate the normal aging and wear and tear from hail damage which means that you may wind up only getting reimbursed for the depreciated value of the roof. It does pay to go with roofing material stronger than asphalt shingles such as metal roof for example which lasts far longer and resists hail damage.
Document Your Claim
The best form of documentation comes from photos that show your roof before the damage occurred and then after the damage has happened. You should take photos of your roof anytime there is maintenance or repairs that have occurred. After the damage has been inflicted, take pictures which demonstrate what happened so that the difference can be seen. In addition, have any estimates, bills, or invoices at the ready so that you can proceed with the claims process.
Choose your Contractor
You’ll need to get an estimate from a contractor so that the work will be covered by your insurance.However, you’ll want to choose a roofing contractor that has plenty of experience with the claims process.This will help you out considerably as the contractor will handle some of the details and help you navigate the rest. You’ll need to find a contractor who has the experience and perhaps hires a Certified Public.Adjust or to help process the claim in the right way.
It is important to move quickly when you see that your roof has been compromised. Understanding how to make an insurance claim from hail damage will speed the process along so that you can get the damaged fixed quickly while obtaining the reimbursement needed to pay for the work. If you have an questions about the insurance claim process, contact Lion heart Contracting. They are a licensed and insured residential and commercial roofing company in Kansas City that will look out for your best interest with the insurance company.