When a hail storm tears through your area, it can cause severe and costly damage to your home. However, is it possible to file an insurance claim for hail damage? While homeowners insurance can help cover hail damage, there are several steps you must first understand when dealing with hail. Here are some helpful tips to remember when dealing with hail damage and homeowner’s insurance.
Survey the Hail Damage
If you want to file insurance claims for hail damage, the first step you must take is to document the damage. This will help you gather evidence of the damage caused by the hail and let inspectors and insurance companies understand the extent of repairs needed. This will help when determining the cost to perform the work.
Begin by measuring the size of the hailstones and take photos of each measurement you perform. It’s best to do so immediately, as the hail will most likely melt away by the time you can schedule an inspection.
Next, search for signs of property damage caused by the hailstorm and photograph them as well. They can include broken roof shingles, torn siding, and damage sustained by your windows. If you find a hole in your roof, cover it with a tarp to prevent further damage. Lastly, write down the specific time and date the hailstorm occurred.
Contact a Roofing Contractor for Inspection
The next step you must take to file an insurance claim is contacting a roofing contractor, especially if you live in an area that experienced severe weather. Other homeowners will also be looking for a contractor leading to possible delays. Additionally, don’t automatically hire the first contractor you encounter, as some might be scouring storm-prone areas for easy money.
When dealing with hail damage and homeowner’s insurance, you might want to head straight to your insurance company to start the repair process. However, it is vital to find a professional contractor or someone in a similar profession, such as a public adjuster, to assess the hail damage. If they’re reputable, then they can offer a thorough inspection where nothing is overlooked and provide an estimate. That way, you’ll know if your insurance company is offering enough money when you do meet with them.
As you make an appointment with your contractor to discuss hail damage and homeowner’s insurance, be sure to arrange a time when you both can meet in person; it is much easier to do so than speak over the phone. Then, you can signal the inspector to where the damage is personally, so they will know where to look.
Consult Your Insurance Company to File Insurance Claims for Hail Damage
Although you should first speak with a contractor when dealing with hail damage and homeowner’s insurance, also reach out to your insurance company at the same time. Have a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy with you, as well as photos of the damage and a record of how much the inspector said the repairs would cause for the sake of comparison.
When dealing with hail damage and homeowner’s insurance, there are some instances where you won’t receive compensation. For example, some insurance companies won’t cover repair costs for cosmetic reasons, like when the appearance of a feature is damaged, but not the function. Once you have a proper estimate and have compared it with your inspector’s estimate to ensure it is enough, you can reach out to the remodeling or contracting company to repair the damages.
If a storm caused significant damage to your home and you need emergency roof repair in Denver Colorado consult Tried and True Roofing! We can assist you with a variety of high-quality residential roof repairs in Denver.