3 Steps to Filing an Insurance Claim When Your Roof is Damaged
When storms or other issues lead to a damaged roof, your insurance company may be able to compensate you. For expeditious processing of your insurance claim, follow these three steps.
1. Know What’s Covered
Because most insurance companies wont cover damage that is caused by improper roof maintenance, it’s best to keep your roof in the best possible shape:
- Have a roofing professional inspect your roof annually to repair problem areas
- Replace missing shingles
- Remove dead trees that could potentially fall on your home
- Regularly clean gutters
- Keep your roof clear of debris like leaves, pine straw, and pine cones
To avoid unexpected costs with roofing insurance claims, its best to know what your policy covers ahead of time. The best way to find out about your coverage is to contact your agent. Many homeowner policies cover damage from hail, wind damage, fire, but do not cover damage from normal wear and tear.
2. Get a Professional Damage Assessment
Your insurance company is unlikely to take your word for it that your roof is damaged, no matter how bad a shape it’s in. The first phone call you should make is to your professional roofing company in Columbia to ask for a damage assessment for your roof. This assessment will also help to let you know how critical your roof repair is, which is important for the insurance company to understand.
3. Be Available for a Claims Adjustor Appointment
In some cases, the insurance company will ask to send out a claims adjustor to see the damage for themselves. If this happens, make yourself available at the first appointment opportunity. If you try to push off the appointment to a later date, your claim may be delayed interminably. Meanwhile, any secondary damage from your roof issues—such as leaking—may become more serious and complicated.
These are the three most important steps you can take after suffering from roof damage. Premiere Roofing, your local roofing company, can work with your insurance company in ensuring a timely and quality roof repair or replacement.
