Storm Roof Damage : Who Do You Call First for After a Storm?

What do you do when you experience storm roof damage after a storm? Do you call a roofing contractor or your insurance company first? After a storm, some homeowners find themselves in this dilemma. However, it’s not as tricky a situation as you might think.

In this article, we will answer the common question of who you should call first: a roofing contractor or an insurance company when you have storm damage. By the end of this article, not only will you know the answer to the question, but you’ll also learn some key things insurance adjusters will keep an eye out for during their assessment of your roof.

Do You Call Your Roofing Contractor or Insurance Company First for Storm Roof Damage?

If, after a storm, you discover that your roof is damaged, don’t fret. Your next line of action should be calling your roofing contractor. Doing this is essential, as a roofing contractor can thoroughly assess the situation and determine the level of damage. With their expertise, they can detect conspicuous damage and underlying ones, which are problems your insurance adjuster might ignore. It is after this point that your insurance adjuster can now step in. 

To help make the state of your roof clear and prevent misunderstandings, your roofing contractor can speak to your adjuster. This will prevent disparities when your insurance adjuster is doing their evaluation. Additionally, it will give you an extra advantage when filing your insurance claim. Your contractor will also vet your insurance claim to ensure it encapsulates all the required repairs.

How to File an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage

As a homeowner whose roof recently got damaged, you’ll have to file an insurance claim with your insurance company, regardless of the damage. Filing a claim is the beginning of the process. Afterward, your insurance company will assign you an adjuster and many processes you might not witness will occur. It is vital to have a professional confirm that being in and around the house is safe when the time for filing the claim comes. Because you are the policyholder, you must prevent further damage from occurring to your property by ensuring you secure your house. This usually implies protecting your home’s interior from water invasion.

Immediately you place a call to inform your insurance company that you have storm roof damage and would like to file a claim, the following happens:

• Your insurer will allocate a field adjuster to you.
• Within 72 hours, the field adjuster will reach out to you to agree on a date for an inspection.
• On the fixed day, the field adjuster will visit and carry out the onsite assessment.
• They will take the necessary dimensions and photos to document all ruins or damage.
• At the end of the inspection, they leave and write the claim using an estimate program called Xactimate.
• Afterward, the field adjuster turns in their written estimate to the desk adjuster (their superior) for final assessment. 
• Based on the recommendations and photos the field adjuster turns in, the desk adjuster either approves or denies the claim.
• After approval, the desk adjuster will send the Xactimate estimate back to the field adjuster.
• Finally, the field adjuster will send you the approved estimate.

How Is Calling a Roofer First Beneficial to Your Insurance Claim?

Now that you know calling a roofer before your insurance company is a better choice, you’re probably wondering why and how it aids your claims process. Don’t worry; you’ll find out shortly.

Inviting a roofer to give your roof a thorough inspection when you suspect damage has been done to your roof by a storm will help you. They can step in when necessary to speak to your insurance adjuster for more clarity and to back you up.

You can have your roofing contractor around when your field adjuster visits for the onsite inspection for a chance for them to communicate directly and more clearly.

Regardless of what you decide to do, if you ever find yourself in such a dilemma, ensure you treat your claims process with diligence. Below are some vital steps to follow to prevent your insurer from denying your claims:

• Contact your contractor and insurer as soon as possible
• Document every damage as soon as you detect it by taking photographs
• Have a good understanding of your homeowner’s insurance policy
• Obey your roofing warranty
• Hire professionals to carry out maintenance on your roof at least once every two years

All You Need to Know About How Insurance Adjusters Evaluate Roof Damage

During the evaluation, insurance adjusters focus on different areas. Expert roofing contractors know how adjusters review storm roof damage due to their years of experience, making them an asset. This insight they have gives you an advantage when you hire them, as it is useful when dealing with roof replacement or repair as a result of damage.

The three key things adjusters look out for are:

• Roof’s installation quality
• Age and condition of the roof
• Degree of visible damage

Consequence of an Inadequate Roof Installation

A poor roof installation could lead to problems that will end up costing your insurance company a considerable sum of money in claims. This is why insurance adjusters do not treat detecting inadequate roof installation lightly. If, during the inspection, they happen to detect that the roofing contractor who installed your roof didn’t do a good job, it might work against you. Hence, hiring a reputable roofing contractor to work on your roof is vital for repair or replacement. When you do that, you can rest assured that you won’t be suffering for the sins of an incompetent roofer in the future.

Impact of an Aged Roof

The older your roof gets, the weaker its resistance to the elements. Once a roof is beyond 10 years, it can become a burden in harsh weather conditions, as old roofs are more vulnerable to damage than new ones. Hence, some insurance companies will decline to renew your policy. However, suppose your insurance company goes ahead to give you coverage. In that case, they may hold it against you in the future when you file a claim. For this reason, make sure you remain updated. 

Detecting Major Signs of Roof Damage

Detecting signs of storm damage is usually not challenging, as they are conspicuous and unambiguous to see, unlike other kinds of damage that may be easy to miss. Therefore, an insurance adjuster can easily separate damage sustained before the storm from one resulting from the storm. This could put you at a disadvantage during the claims process. Hence, performing routine inspection and maintenance on your roof is essential, as it will help you detect and fix visible and underlying problems quickly.

Conclusion

Now, you have an answer to the common question of who to call first after a storm roof damage: your roofing contractor or insurer? So, if you ever experience roof damage after a storm, run to your roofing contractor first. Call them immediately because they have the tools, skills, and experience to conduct a thorough inspection. They can also determine the degree of damage and the necessary fixes.

Calling them first is essential because things your insurance adjuster might miss during inspection won’t go past their eyes. They’ll also note everything you need to do to improve your roof’s condition. They can also provide answers to any questions you might have and provide clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How often should you replace your roof?

Generally, property owners should replace their roofs every 10 to 30 years, depending on different factors. These factors include local climate, type, and quality of roofing material, as well as the quality of installation.

Will insurance cover a 20-year-old roof?

Typically, insurance companies do not cover roofs older than 20 years. However, some companies make exemptions. When they make such exemptions, you may need to pass an assessment before they renew the policy.