What should you do if you believe you have roof damage?
If you believe that your roof has been damaged, you must conduct the following:
- Stay careful – use a professional roofer instead of climbing on the roof to inspect for damage.
- Examine your attic for leaks and water damage. In addition, if water stains emerge on your ceiling or walls, you will most likely need repairs or a roof replacement.
- Examine the ground for evidence of storm damage. Check for missing shingles or metal fascia and any metal pieces displaced from around your chimney. Examine the state of the exhaust pipes, valleys, exterior borders, and angles where the roof meets the walls.
- You will notice if a tree falls on your roof. If this is the case, you should leave your house until an expert can assess if structural damage has happened. If your property has structural damage, consider hiring a general contractor or a roofer with a general contractor’s license since you’ll need more than just roof repairs.
I looked at my roof and didn’t notice anything wrong?
Storm damage is not always evident to the untrained eye. Therefore, it is critical to have a competent roofing contractor evaluate your property after a storm.
What should I do if I need to file an insurance claim?
If your house has been damaged, call your insurance carrier as soon as possible so that an adjuster may visit your property and assess the damage. Remember that in a catastrophic scenario, help may not arrive right away. Attempt to be patient.
How long do I have to submit my claim?
In most circumstances, you have one year from the date of the storm to submit a claim, but each policy is different, and some say you only have six months. The best thing to do is to schedule an inspection with a roofing professional shortly after the storm.
Will my prices increase if I file a claim?
Filing a single claim should not increase your rates, mainly if an “act of God causes it.” However, if an area is affected by a large storm, the whole region’s premiums may rise.
Do I require the involvement of a roofing contractor in the process?
You do not need a roofing contractor to submit a claim; however, having a skilled contractor on-site to meet with your adjuster ensures that nothing is ignored and that you get a fair estimate of the damages.
How should I select a contractor?
This is a critical issue and choice.
Investigate the firm. Check the company’s website to ensure that they have a location within 50 miles of your home and local landline phone numbers. Examine their ratings on sites such as Angie’s List or Home Advisor. You should look for a contractor that is BBB-accredited and would gladly provide you with insurance, workers’ compensation, and references upon request.
What exactly is a “storm chaser”?
“Storm Chasers” are shady regional or national businesses that tarnish the roofing sector. They assess storms around the nation and assign sales teams to regions recently impacted by significant storms. They work hard to get as many properties under contract as possible before moving on to the next storm region. They are unconcerned with their local reputation, installation quality, or the selection of high-quality products. These acts result in subpar installs and homeowners with roof issues caused by a contractor no longer in the region.
How do you detect a “storm chaser”?
“Storm Chasers” will present themselves as a local business. Use the following elements to help you identify a “Storm Chaser.”
- Look for local phone numbers and office addresses on their website.
- Request a copy of their General Liability Insurance policy and check the locations where the insurance was created.
- Request local references for finished work (specifically projects not recently completed)
- Be wary of 1-800 numbers and marketing material that lacks a local phone number.
My insurance company said I needed three estimates, is this right?
No, this is not true; as the homeowner, you may hire anybody you wish to conduct the repairs.
Will I receive my money if the insurance company withholds depreciation?
Yes. When the job is finished, the money withheld will be returned to you.
Why didn’t the insurance company depreciate?
There are two reasons why insurance companies withhold some money. The primary purpose is to ensure that you complete the assignment. Experience has shown them that if they give the consumer all the money at once, many will spend it on something else. The second reason is that they want to ensure you pay your whole deductible. According to the insurance business, if you are handed all of the money, to begin with, many individuals will automatically attempt to locate a contractor who will execute the project for the dollar amount in hand. They may change the final reimbursement amount depending on the roofing contractor’s invoice by keeping a retainage amount, ensuring that their client pays the deductible.
Will my roof warranty cover storm damage?
You are offered two warranties when you purchase a new roof. The firm that created your shingles provides a Manufacturer’s guarantee, and the contractor that placed the shingles on your roof provides a workmanship/labor warranty.
- Manufacturer Warranty – When you purchase your shingles from the manufacturer, you will get precise wind and life expectancy guarantees. They provide consumers assurances such as lifetime and wind ratings of 110 mph and 130 mph. They are in charge of how long your shingles survive and how high wind speeds they can withstand.
- Workmanship/Labor Warranty – The contractor that installs your roof provides these guarantees, typically covering leaks for a specific time. These warranties typically last between 2 and 15 years. This guarantee covers you if you leak in your roof after it has been installed.
Unfortunately, your roofing contractor’s workmanship/labor guarantee does not cover any Acts of God, such as wars, civil disturbances, fires, or hurricanes.
Is there anything else I should know after the storm?
A few other things to remember after a major hurricane:
- Take photographs and make notes before commencing any cleaning. Before beginning to replace or repair, it is critical to record everything damaged.
- Contact your insurance company immediately. If you have left the property, ensure your agent knows how to reach you. If you are at home, but your phone is broken, provide a phone number where you may be contacted.
- Make any necessary interim repairs.
- If you leak, get a tarp.
- Never let a contractor attach a tarp to your roof. This can result in extra water damage and leaks into your property because water will enter via the nail penetrations.
- Insist on receiving a proof of loss statement from your adjuster. Any new damage discovered should be reported as soon as possible so that it may be included in your claim.
- Save all receipts if your house is uninhabitable and you must live in temporary accommodation.
- Do not sign repair contracts under duress. Use reliable contractors. If you are doubtful about a contractor’s qualifications, seek references from the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. Make sure that the contractor you pick has repair expertise.
- Make copies of any letters and material your insurance carrier sends you.
About Blue Angel Roofing: Blue Angel Roofing is a roofing contractor with years of experience in commercial, industrial, and residential properties. We are dedicated to helping customers restore their roofs and ensuring all safety precautions and regulations are followed. Call us today to learn more about our services.