When it comes to repairs, a roof can be one of the most expensive parts of your home. To make things worse, the severe weather in Texas can cause significant roof damage. Even if your insurance covers roof repairs, the process is often stressful. It will require several follow-ups with insurance adjusters, roofing contractors, and even your mortgage company. Bayfront Exteriors has dealt with 100’s of insurance claims and can help you with every step of the process.
Tips for Filing a Claim
If you plan to file an insurance claim for your roof, you need to document the damage and contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. You also want to be careful about how you choose your contractor. Here are some other tips that can help you to streamline the roof insurance claim process in Texas:
- Look for damage immediately after a storm — If you believe your roof may have been damaged by hail or strong winds caused by a storm, contact a reputable and licensed roofing contractor to inspect your roof for damage. Even if it appears to be intact, there could be some internal damage that can only be seen by a trained professional.
- Take pictures and document any important details — Roofing contractors will know how to find damage and will be able to document it properly. Ask them if they can take pictures of any damaged areas and submit a written explanation of what needs to be repaired (along with the estimated cost). This will make the process of filing a claim easier.
- Contact your insurance provider to find out what your policy covers — The next step is to contact your insurance company to make sure the repairs will be covered by your policy. Be sure to get in touch with them as soon as possible, because there’s often a time limit for filing claims. Once you have submitted everything, they will send an insurance adjuster to look at the damage and determine how much the insurance company will pay out for the cost of the repairs.
If the roof repairs are covered by your homeowner’s insurance, you will receive funds that can be used to pay for it. Now, it’s time to find a roofing contractor to take care of the repairs or replacement. Just make sure you hire a reputable roofer that’s licensed and insured, and you always want to ask them for references.
What to Avoid While Filing Roof Insurance Claims
If you want to make sure your roof insurance claim will be successfully paid, you need to make sure you have done all the necessary maintenance. If the damage was caused by improper maintenance or if it could have prevented the damage, the insurance company will reject your claim. That’s why it’s so important to perform routine maintenance on your roof, which can include the following:
- Scheduling regular rood inspections by a trained professional.
- Keeping your roof clear of debris.
- Keeping your gutters clean.
- Removing any dead trees on your property that could possibly fall on your roof.
You don’t want to perform any repairs before contacting your insurance provider, because you’ll be stuck with the entire bill. The insurance company will send an adjuster to look at the damage before approving your claim, which won’t be possible if you have already made the repairs. The only exception is that you needed to make some temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
What Happens After You File a Claim
After the repair or roof replacement has been completed, you will need to send proof to your insurance company. They will then issue a payment that will cover the cost of the services (minus the deductible). Be sure to review this payment and follow up with your insurance company if you have any questions or concerns.
What to Do if Your Claim is Denied
If the insurance company denied your claim, there are some things you can do to address the situation. The first thing you want to do is look at the denial letter they sent you. It should be thorough in outlining their reasons for the denial. You also want to make note of any discrepancies or errors they may have made.
If a roofer has told you about the damage, get their opinion. You can also get a second opinion to find out if there’s any additional damage that the insurance company missed. The initial assessment may even be inaccurate. If you believe the insurance company has wrongfully denied your claim, you can always file a dispute. This occurs if both of you disagree about the money that should be paid out for a claim. It will also require you to submit additional documentation and evidence to support your claim.
If your roof has been damaged and are looking for one of the best places for roofing in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Bayfront Roofing.