What to do from start to finish when you realize your roof is leaking in regards to an insurance claim through to finding a roofer
After the Storm
We have all been there when we find a leak in our roofs after a storm hits our home. We know that we need to start the process of a roof leakage insurance claim, but we don’t know what and how to do it. The service and ease of roof leak insurance claim are relatively dependent on the insurance company as well, but to some extent, the process remains the same. After the storm hits your town, and you get leakage from your roof, the insurance claim process starts. The steps following the fixing of the roof are mentioned below (Consumerreports.org).
Roof Leakage Investigation
The first step after being hit by any storm or hurricane is to inspect the roof. The earlier you find a leakage or damage to your roof, the earlier you would be able to file the claim. For this purpose, it is better to call for a licensed and reputable roofing contractor or a roof contractor company. You should be making friends with a roofing contractor now if you haven’t already. They are the ones who are on your side in this fight for claims. Look for the experienced and licensed contractor in your town. You need to understand that your roof may still look fine when it is damaged internally. Therefore, getting help from a contractor would come handy this time. Moreover, the contractor would also help in giving you the estimates for your claims.
Document your Leakage
The second step is to document every leakage and damage to the roof. It would be really helpful if the roof is also documented before the damage as well. Still, if you have no pictures of the roof before the damage happened, take the pictures of the leaked roof after the storm. The pictures should be clear. It would also be done by the contractor as well. An experienced, one will be documenting all the damages as he would find it.
Get the Estimations for Repairing
Next step is to get the estimations of the damages and repair needed and Insurance roof leak. The cost required for the repairing of the leaking roof will be given to you by the roofing contractor as well. You would know then if the amount is good enough to call for the claim or you need to cope with it yourself. In the latter scenario, the contractor can get you the help to plan and get the resources for the repair.
Call Your Insurance Company
In the case that you need to claim via your homeowner’s insurance claim, you should be calling in for the claim at the earliest time for the purpose of Insurance Paying for roof leak (Gleeson). You need to be prepared for the claim inspection as well. It is the obligation of the insured to notify the insurance company of the leakage of the roof or any other damage in time, prove it, and make it available for inspection by the company. You need to call the insurance company as you as can. Waiting too long may cause you loss of claim. There is a possibility that your insurance claim is limited to a certain amount. Be sure of that as well before calling for the claim.
Meeting with the Adjuster
After your claim is filed, the company would send an adjuster who would inspect your leaking roof and then give an estimation of the repairs. There is a possibility that your estimates would look much healthier than the ones given by the adjusters.
Scope of Loss
The adjuster will send you the scope of loss covered by your insurance and the amount which will be paid for the roof leak. The more reasonable your claims are, the more chances you have of getting the claimed amount as per your estimations. Do not hesitate to get the help from the roofing contractor as the fees charged by him can be reimbursed to you if claimed as an expense in compiling of the appraisal amount. Get the costs of the repairs which are consistent with the current rates in your areas.
Contact Roofing Company/Contractor for Roof Fixing
After your claim is successful, you will be given the payment for leaking roof or other damages. The insurance company would be paying for a roof leak to get it fixed. You can get the help of the same roof contractor for fixing it. He will help you fix or replace the roof as per your need.
Work Cited
Consumerreports.org. “How to get your homeowner’s insurance claim paid.” Consumer Reports.Org. Consumer Reporst.Org, March 2014. Web. 21 January 2018 https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2014/05/how-to-get-your-homeowners-insurance-claim-paid/index.htm.
Gleeson, Patrick. “Procedures For an Insurance Claim For Roof Repair.” The Nest. The Nest, 2017. Web. 21 January 2018 https://budgeting.thenest.com/procedures-insurance-claim-roof-repair-33091.html.