Your property is exposed to the elements 24/7, and therefore you can expect it to sustain damage every once in a while, especially when a strong storm is about to hit your area. In fact, when a strong storm arrives, you can expect your residential or commercial roofing system to be the first casualty. Once the storm is over, it’s understandable to want to have any damages sustained repaired as soon as possible, or perhaps even have your roof replaced. Unfortunately, not everyone has the means to have their property repaired immediately. Luckily for property owners such as yourself, this is where insurance claims come in, as the payout from an insurance claim can help you fund your repair or replacement project.
Here are ten tips you need to keep in mind when navigating the post-storm insurance claims process.
1. Document the damage. Before you file an insurance claim to get your property repaired, one of the first things that contractors recommend you do is take photos and videos of your property before the storm even arrives in your area. Once the storm has passed, you need to repeat the process as soon as it’s safe to venture outside. By doing so, you’ll have before and after photos that you can give to your adjuster to justify the amount you’re asking for in your insurance claim.
2. Property damage inspection. After you’ve documented the damage that your property has sustained, you can have a professional contractor inspect your property. This is an important step to take, as experts strongly recommend that you first have your home inspected by a professional before making a claim. By doing so, not only will you be able to determine the extent of the damage your property has sustained, but you’ll also receive an estimate for your repair or replacement project that will help you justify your insurance claim.
3. Understand the paperwork, Another tip that you should keep in mind when navigating a post-storm insurance claim is that it’s also important to understand the paperwork for your roof. According to roof replacement experts, when it comes to insurance claims, the roof can be the trickiest part, and failing to understand it can be grounds for denial of your insurance claim. As such, it’s essential to learn everything about it that you can to prevent any misunderstandings. To accomplish this, all you have to do is carefully read through the paperwork detailing your roof’s warranty and any other information about it before the storm arrives so you’ll understand the exclusions and conditions that can accidentally void the warranty. By so doing, you can avoid loopholes that may lead to the reduction or denial of your insurance claims settlement.
4. Mitigate the damage. Before filing your insurance claim, be sure to mitigate the damages that your property has sustained with the aid of a professional once it’s safe to do so. While this may sound like a bad move, all you really have to do is ask your contractor to perform a few temporary repairs that can prevent your property from sustaining further damage while you negotiate with your insurance company on a settlement. In fact, they may even reimburse the costs of these temporary repairs as long as the loss is covered by your insurance. This is an important step that you should always take, as failure to mitigate the damage that your property has sustained may give them a good reason to reduce your settlement or deny your claim entirely.
5. Watch out for repair fraud. Property repair fraud is fairly common in the wake of natural disasters. With that in mind, it’s best to remain on guard to ensure that you don’t fall victim to these dirty tactics from less-than-reputable contractors. To save yourself from falling victim to repair fraud, be wary of contractors who are too aggressive or demand an upfront payment, as they’re likely looking for a way to make a quick buck by taking advantage of concerned homeowners. In addition, try to avoid feeling pressured by contractors, and don’t rush to sign a contract with them if they’re too aggressive in their tactics. To prevent yourself from being victimized by property repair frauds, make your search for a trusted professional easier by turning to Hoover Contracting Inc.
6. File a claim with your insurance company. Once you’ve had your property inspected by an expert contractor and you’ve had them mitigate the damages it sustained, you may now file a claim with your insurance company. When making your claim, you may also request that they get in touch with your contractor so that they themselves can inform your insurance provider about their findings in your property. This can put you at an advantage in the claims process and save yourself some time and effort since you won’t have to constantly be on the phone talking with your insurance provider.
7. Meet with your adjuster . A few days after you’ve filed the claim with your insurance company and after your contractor has informed them of the extent of your property’s damage, you’ll then have to meet with your insurance adjuster. While this may sound like an intimidating and daunting process, you don’t have to worry, as this is a procedural step that they need to take to explain a few things to you before they initiate the process for your claim. In this way they can prevent any misunderstandings as they handle your claim.
8. Choose colors and materials. After you meet with the adjuster the insurance company sends out, you can then focus on actually repairing your home. Once you’ve settled on a suitable amount for your claim and you and your contractor have received approval from your insurance provider, you can choose the materials that you’ll be using to repair or replace the damaged parts of your roof. When picking the materials, make sure that you choose those that are high in quality since your insurance company will be helping you pay for them anyway. If you’re having difficulties choosing the right materials, don’t hesitate to enlist the aid of an experienced contractor so you can take advantage of their expert help and advice.
9. Rebuild and repair. After you’ve chosen the materials for your repair project, your contractor will deliver them to your property alongside a trained and certified crew of construction professionals. Once they arrive, they’ll immediately start the repair process to restore it to its previous condition. This will help ensure that the value and aesthetic appeal of your property is either preserved or improved.
10. Schedule an inspection – After your contractor has repaired the damaged areas of your roof, make it a point to ask your roofing company to inspect the repairs and replacements they’ve made. During this step, scrutinize the crew’s work as much as you can to ensure that everything has been completed to the highest possible standards. If there’s anything that seems out of place, inform them as soon as possible so they can fix it before you give them the final payment for the project.
If you need someone who can help you repair or replace your roof, don’t hesitate to turn to Hoover Contracting Inc. When it comes to residential roofing and emergency roof repair services, we’re the leading experts to approach, and we won’t let you down! Give us a call at (217) 213-5122 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today!