Step-By-Step Roofing Services After a Storm

For many, springtime is a precarious time of year in terms of weather and its effects on your home. Spring and early summer are often very busy times of year for roofing companies. Heavy rains, hail, high winds and tornados threaten the integrity of your roof and sometimes necessitate repairs or replacements. This article will help you know what process to follow if you suspect roofing damage after a storm.

1. Call Your Insurance
If you suspect your roof has sustained damage due to a storm, the first step to take is call your homeowner’s insurance provider and let them know of your situation. They will be able to explain how your specific policy handles weather damage and how and what they will pay on repairs. It is likely they will pass your claim information on to a field agent who will contact you to set an appointment for an inspection.

2. Obtain Repair Estimates
In the meantime, as you wait for your claim to be processed and await your adjuster’s phone call and inspection, get a head start and gather some quotes from roofers in your area. You are advised to work only with professionals based in your own state to avoid any scams or fraudulent activity. Let the roofers know that you don’t have your insurance quote yet, that you are merely seeking an estimate and be sure not to sign any contracts until you hear from your adjuster.

3. Decide on Roofer
Once your adjuster has deemed your roof a loss and given you the amount the insurance company will cover toward a new roof, it’s time to choose your roofing company. At that time, some roofers will work with your insurance company with the rest of the process, as they complete the replacement and bill them. It is common to see this, and isn’t anything out of the ordinary.

4. Pay Your Roofer
Once your roofing company has submitted its invoice to your insurance company, they will then issue a check requiring the endorsement of both you as the homeowner/policy holder, and the roofer. Some insurance companies issue the check to only the homeowner, but this detail depends upon the rules of the company. If your roof replacement quote was greater than your coverage amount, or if you had a deductable subtracted, then you will be responsible for the remainder of the roofing company’s charge.

Please note that this is generally the process by which most mainstream homeowner’s insurance companies handle storm claims. There may be various nuances among the insurance providers. Contact your insurance agent for more information.