Often, homeowners don’t realize the damage that a hailstorm has wrought on their roof until a few years later when leaks and other serious issues appear. This more extensive damage leads to leaks, mold, water damage, and expensive roof repair costs. Therefore, insurance companies recommend filing your hail damage claim as soon as possible. Having repairs done in a timely manner can prevent complications and additional damage to your roof and the interior of your home that are affected by the neglected leaks. Once the damage is that serious, your insurance policy may no longer cover the repairs.
How does Hail affect your roof?
It all starts when a hailstone hits your roof. Upon impact, it loosens and knocks off the protective granule coating from the shingles. The indentation cracks the asphalt and fiberglass underneath. Now exposed, these areas become brittle and susceptible to leaks. This is just one hailstone. Imagine the results of a hailstorm!
Shingles aren’t the only things that become damaged in a hailstorm. Shingle roof underlayment is roofing material that prevents leaks from the small gaps between your shingles. Hailstones can easily penetrate it since it is weaker than the shingle material that lays over it. Unrepaired underlayment allows water to leak through to your internal ceiling during a rainstorm. At this point, your ceiling will eventually develop a yellowish or brownish stain in certain spots.
It’s important to keep your roof insured and to call a roofer to inspect your roof after a severe storm. Then, get any damage fixed—before it gets worse.
Starting an insurance claim for your hail damaged roof
- Always have roof hail damage insurance.
- Have a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy handy so that you understand what you are entitled to in terms of compensation. Read the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. This will refresh your memory and help you to feel confident about your claim as you talk to adjusters and contractors.
- Call a reputable contractor to inspect your roof after a storm
What if I don’t have insurance but I have hail damage?
It’s important to have the damage repaired, anyway. The cost of the repairs now is very little compared to the cost of them down the road after the damage of future rains and storms compound the issue adding to the water damage and mold growth within the structure of your home. Also, the manufacturer’s warranty on items such as gutters, roofing, and siding are often voided if you experience and don’t have them repaired or replaced after being damaged by hail.
Signs that you need to have your roof inspected:
- A strong hail storm has passed your property.
- You find these visible damage signs, make sure to call your contractor. Their inspections allow them to help you make a successful roof hail damage insurance claim.
- Missing or damaged shingles, shingle tabs are missing or cracked
- Internal leaking, stains on your ceiling
- Bruised roofing material
The process of making a roof hail damage insurance claim
Homeowners can inspect their own roof for visible damages in order to prove to their insurance company that a hailstorm caused the roofing damage. It’s important to have a thorough inspection by a trusted roofing contractor in order to maximize your claim to cover “hidden” damage to the underlayment and possibly a full-roof replacement. All Craftsmen Exteriors provides a free consultation and inspection. They will do more than a visual inspection. They also conduct moisture and leak tests. They will provide you data as well as a good estimate of your roof’s lifespan. This helps when dealing with your insurance adjuster.
Dealing with your insurance adjuster
If you choose to contact your insurance adjuster directly, have the contractor-filed inspection data in front of you when you call. Give your adjuster a summary of the damage caused by a recent hailstorm. Understand that adjusters will only focus on the inspection data as the basis of your argument, so don’t spend too much time on the narrative.
However, if you want to skip this part of the roof hail damage insurance claim, you can provide the contact details of your insurance adjuster to All Craftsmen Exteriors. This allows them to represent you effectively against the insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters usually bring their own contractor as they strive to minimize repair costs. This is okay if you have your own contractor representing and advising you. Without your contractor to represent you with objective, accurate inspection data, the adjuster’s contractor will not maximize the insurance benefits.
Finally, the insurer and contractor will set a repair date with you. All parties will sign the agreement. They will include the extent of repairs, the deadline, and contractor payments. It’s best if this is done, face to face so that your contractor can more easily raise any concerns they find with the adjuster’s conclusions. If the insurance adjuster’s initial offer does not correlate with the cost of the repairs that need to be made, you can hire an independent adjuster and submit their findings to your insurance company and ask for a new payout amount.
Conclusion
Filing a roof hail damage insurance claim is a simple but long process. Remember to protect yourself by working with a trusted contractor such as All Craftsmen Exteriors, to ensure your best interests are prioritized. Contact us today.
