No matter how well you take care of your roof, there are some things you can’t necessarily control. From trees falling onto your roof during a heavy rainstorm to hail, there may be a time when you’ll need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance to get your roof fixed as soon as possible. Here are some tips to follow in the event you need to file a roof insurance claim.
Before any type of damage or disaster, it’s important to know what’s in your homeowner’s insurance policy from the get-go. Not every policy is created equal, and different regions will focus on covering specific types of natural disasters.
If you’re unsure of what’s covered in your policy, then call your insurance provider to ask! You may even find that you want to upgrade or change your policy as time goes on. Knowing what is covered and what is not covered under your policy will help you navigate through filing a claim more easily.
If your roof does end up suffering some type of damage that may be covered by your insurance, make sure to get an inspection as soon as it’s safe to do so. Many insurance policies require claims to be filed within a certain period of time. You don’t want to risk your coverage by waiting a day too long to file a claim.
Some types of damage on your roof can be seen from the ground. Other types of damage may not be so obvious. You may want to climb a ladder to get a better look at your roof. However, climbing a roof is extremely dangerous, especially if you think there may be a problem. In this case, it’s best to call a professional roofer to take a look.
Staying proactive with your roof can dramatically help you in your claims process. That means regularly maintaining your roof and keeping track of all your roofing documentation. If you know that a storm or natural disaster is coming, it’s also a good idea to snap a few quick “before” photos of your roof and home before any damage is done.
After a disaster, it’s then time to take more photos to see if there was damage done to your home. The more information you can provide to your insurance company, the better. If you hire a roofer for an inspection, ask them to take some photo documentation if they aren’t already doing it already. Your roofer can also create an inspection report that includes what types of repairs you’ll need and estimates for how much it will cost.
Once you’ve determined that your roof was damaged during a disaster, it’s time to call your insurance company. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to answer questions about the damage. You should also be ready to submit any documentation, including any documentation on your most recent roofing maintenance, photos of the damage, official inspection reports, and estimates for roof repairs or replacement.
Often, insurance companies will send their own inspectors to assess the damage to your roof. You will need to wait until your claim has been approved before moving forward with any repairs or replacements.
Finding a reliable roofing professional when there’s a giant hole in your roof is not ideal. That’s why the best time to find a roofer is before any type of disaster strikes! Filing a claim and getting your roof fixed is a lot less stressful when you know you can trust your roofer.
At IBEX Roof, we’re here to help our customers get the most out of their roof. We offer routine roof maintenance services and would be happy to help you keep track of your roof work. And in case something does happen to your roof? We’ll be there to inspect the damage and provide the necessary documents and estimates you’ll need for your roof insurance claim.
