Wind, ice, and other damaging acts of nature can wreak havoc on your roof throughout the year. Knowing the local climate and doing preventative research can only help you out so far. As we all know, at the end of the day, nature will have its way. So, when nature does strike, the most important resource to have is an excellent insurance provider.
If the roof is new –
Insurance will most likely pay for the roof replacement if the roof was installed within a year or two. As a new homeowner if you have the option to get the roof redone immediately, do it. If that old roof with “a few more years in it” becomes irreparably damaged, insurance companies may not be so kind if the same act of nature would have damaged your already aged roof.
Proper documentation –
The insurance companies and their employees want to see that you have been responsible in order for them to feel comfortable fulfilling your claim. Be sure you always take good care of your roof by practicing the following process: cover routine maintenance and small damage yourself (no need to involve the insurance company), make sure any and all severe damage is documented, dated, and reported to your insurance company ASAP. If you wait on this process, more damage may accumulate, leading an insurance adjuster to question the validity of your claim.
Find the right contractor –
If you have a question about your roof’s damage but are not certain whether insurance will cover it, a great place to start is by getting a free estimate from the local roofer with the best reputation. A roofer will have the best industry knowledge and history of working on roofs that have been paid via successful insurance claims. This little trick can give you insider knowledge when pledging a claim to your insurance company and some quick peace of mind.
Check your policy –
This may seem like a no-brainer to some when in reality most people never even give their policy a second glance! Make sure you know what you are getting into when you choose your insurance. Double-check your policy often to make sure what you are requesting is a valid claim. There is no point in trying to get blood from a stone, so make sure you have a firm leg to stand on by knowing your claim inside and out.
There are many factors that can lead to an insurance claim being both rejected and accepted. If you, unfortunately, have a damaged roof, there are positive methods designed to handle the process which can lead to the peace of mind you are looking for. We at Bleiler will always strive to provide our clients with that peace, in the most stress-free way possible. Make sure you follow the steps outlined in this blog and share it with anyone who may be in a situation where they have a looming claim involving severe roof damage and need experts like Bleiler on their side!
