The roof is among the most valuable assets on your house. It costs a lot to put up, mainly because it plays a significant role in your safety and security while giving you a solid defense against the effects of snow, wind, rain, heat, hail, and other elements. A well installed and maintained roof gives your home the curb appeal that makes your house attractive and noticeable. Nonetheless, it is constantly exposed to the elements, which gradually cause its deterioration and damage. When bad weather happens, it may cause unforeseeable damages on your roof. Filing a roof replacement insurance claim may be your only chance of taking care of the necessary repairs and renovations, especially after a huge storm, water damage, or other calamities and catastrophes. This having been said, here are 5 tips for filing a roof replacement insurance claim.
1. Consider What the Policy Covers
It’s important that before you file for roof replacement claim, take into account the particulars of the homeowner’s insurance policy. This is mainly because the terms and conditions may vary from one provider to the other. For instance, some insurance policies may not cover for repairs on a roof that is older than 10 years. Some may also be specific about the causes of the damage, so be keen on the terms.
2. Consider Immediate Inspection
Once the damage has happened and the blizzards have gone down, check to see the extent of the damage. Some damages may be obvious from the ground level. However, careful inspection is crucial. While this is so, some insurance companies will require you to file right after the roof has been damaged or sooner. At times, the roof may look intact but there could be significant damage internally. This is enough reason to get an extra set of eyes from a licensed roofing contractor.
3. Take Pictures and Document the Damages
It’s important that when filing a roof replacement or repair claim, you submit a well-written explanation of all that needs to be done, along with the respective cost estimates. Some insurance companies will need to know the exact cause of the damage and proof of the damage. For this reason, it’s imperative to have some pictorial proof of your roof’s current situation as well as how it looked before the catastrophic event. Ensure that you take good pictures with time and date labels. In most cases, visual proof outweighs written proof.
4. Contact the Insurance Policy
As we had earlier mentioned, some insurance companies may require you to contact them as soon as the damages happen. Irrespective of who your policy provider is, it’s always the best thing to do. Remember, some repair and replacement delays can result from your delay to act. It may not be as easy, given that there is already a gaping hole in the roof, but it’s important to stay as focused as you can be when making this call. During this time, you may also be required to submit the results from a professional roof inspection contractor and the estimated repair costs.
5. Choose a Roofing Expert with Experience on Insurance Claims
Assuming that all goes well, you’ll be given the funds to cover all the repairs or replacement. Before choosing the roofing contractor, ensure that they are insured and licensed. The only way that you’ll get maximum reimbursement for your roof replacement is by working with contractors who have an experience in replacing and repairing roofs through insurance claims. Built Strong Exteriors can be a good place to start if you’re looking for such in Minnesota and its environs.
In summary, you just need to relax, revisit your contract document, have your roof inspected, take pictures, and get in contact with your policy provider with the help of your roofing replacement contractor. With the above tips, you are sure not to go wrong when filing a roof replacement insurance claim.