June is the start of thunderstorm season in Minnesota. Meaning high winds, heavy rain, hail, flying debris, and the occasional lightning strike will tax your roof over the next few months.
If you’ve weathered a few storms but haven’t taken a look at your roof, you should get it assessed for storm damage by a professional roofing contractor. The extent of the damage will determine whether you need just repairs or an entirely new roof.
And if you need help filing a storm damage claim with your insurance company, here’s our simple guide to walk you through the steps:
Establish the damage
This will take a bit of legwork on your part. You’ll want to have a firm grasp on the damage done to your roof and, if applicable, the exterior of your home before calling your insurance company. Establishing the value of the damaged areas will also help smooth out the claims process.
Documentation you can provide includes–
- Photos
- A home inventory
- A list of areas impacted by the storm
- Receipts confirming the value and description of what’s been damaged.
If you need help identifying recent (versus old) damage on your roof, a professional roofer can help. Then contact your insurer and let them know what’s happened. Either a claim professional from the company or your independent insurance broker can tell you whether your policy covers the loss and when your window is for filing a claim.
File and repair
Here’s where that legwork pays off. Your insurer should provide you with a proof of loss form to submit with your claim documents. Attach copies of your evidence of damage and assigned value with your submission.
While that’s being processed, you can make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home. Cover openings and reinforce weak segments of your roof. Again, hiring a roofer will help speed this step along. Any materials or labor you pay for should be documented and saved as a receipt.
Talk with the adjuster
Yes, you’ve been thorough and documented everything. But insurance companies want their own experienced eyes on the ground…er, roof. The adjuster is there to assess the damage and confirm those details. Your job is to provide them with copies of all your documentation from step one.
If you need help explaining the damage that’s been identified, a member of our team from Ideal Roofing can meet the adjuster at your home and handle that step for you.
“It’s really that simple?”
Filing a storm damage claim can be smooth with the right team on your side. An experienced roofing contractor will identify damage, provide you with a report, and discuss their findings on your behalf. You get peace of mind and a professionally handled experience.
Next week we’ll tackle the ins and outs of storm restoration and how to rebuild with resilience.