As a homeowner in the Austin, TX area, you know all too well the potential damage that hailstorms can inflict on your roof.
Hail can be relentless, leaving behind dents, cracks, and even punctures that compromise the integrity of your roof.
The good news is that most homeowners’ insurance policies cover hail damage replacements.
However, navigating the insurance claim process can be challenging – especially if you’ve never submitted a claim before.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of submitting an insurance claim for roofing replacement due to hailstorm damage, ensuring you receive the coverage you deserve.
Verify the Damage
For your own personal safety, do not attempt to climb on your roof to document the damage.
If your home was hit by a storm, the first step is to verify hailstorm damage. Before you file a claim, contact a local roofing contractor for an assessment of the damage to your roof, gutters, skylights, & etc.. If hail damage is verified, then the next step is to contact the insurance company to file a claim.
Contact a Local Roofing Contractor to Assess the Damage
While you can visually inspect your roof for obvious signs of damage from ground level, it’s best to call on a professional roofing contractor to conduct a more thorough and accurate assessment.
Choose a local contractor with a solid reputation for quality workmanship that adheres to all industry standards.
A reputable local roofing and renovation service can provide you with experience and knowledge to guide you through the specific circumstances of your claim and work to assure the greatest value for your insurance dollars.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Before proceeding with the claim, review your homeowner’s insurance policy coverage. Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions, coverage limits, and deductibles related to hailstorm damage.
Hail claim and wind deductibles are often higher than other types of claims, usually a percentage of the total insurance policy coverage.
Contact Your Home Insurance Provider
Once you’ve had a professional contractor verify and assess the extent of the roof damage, it’s time to contact your insurance company.
Call their claims department and inform them about the hailstorm damage to your roof. Let them know that your roofing contractor has inspected and identified sufficient damage to justify an insurance claim, and provide them with the date of the storm event if you know it. They will assign an adjuster to the claim and they should be in contact with you in a few days to set up an appointment.
Insurance companies will often suggest the use of contractors within their network that are approved to write the claim estimates on their behalf, and will attempt to sell you on the advantages. But in reality, those contractors are in agreement with the insurance companies to limit their losses at reduced rates in exchange for continued insurance referrals. We suggest a hard pass on those offers and instead request an assigned adjuster’s review instead.
Take note of the claim number and the contact information of the adjuster assigned to your case.
Schedule a Meeting with the Insurance Adjuster
After contacting your insurance company, they will assign an adjuster to inspect your property and assess the damage.
Request the coordination of the adjuster to enable the roofing contractor to visit your home at the same time. Doing so allows your roofing contractor to work directly with the adjuster to ensure accurate assessments and address any discrepancies or deficiencies in the claim.
Continue to Communicate Openly with the Insurance Company
To ensure that matters run smoothly, it helps to give consent to communication between your insurance company and your contractor so that they may represent your interests throughout the claims process.
Your contractor will work to provide any requests for additional information or documentation, and will be prepared to provide any supporting evidence required by the insurance adjuster.
A professional roofing contractor ensures a smoother and faster resolution to your claim.
Review the Claim Settlement
Once your insurance company has reviewed your claim, they’ll then provide you with a claim settlement offer.
Share this settlement with your roofing contractor so they can carefully review it to ensure that it covers all the necessary repairs or replacements. If they identify any discrepancies or deficiencies, your roofing contractor can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair resolution.
Complete the Necessary Repairs
Once you’ve received the claim settlement, it’s time to work with your local roofing experts to complete the necessary repairs or replacement of your roof.
Keep all receipts and invoices related to the repairs as proof of completion.
Submit Final Documentation
After the roofing repair or replacement is completed, it’s time to submit the final documentation to your insurance company.
This final documentation may include invoices, receipts and any warranties or guarantees provided by the roofing contractor.
By submitting these documents, you finalize the claim process and ensure proper closure.
Schedule Regular Roof Maintenance
After your roof has been repaired or replaced, it’s essential to prioritize regular roof maintenance.
Schedule periodic inspections with your professional roofing contractor to identify and address any potential issues promptly. 0
Regular maintenance helps prolong the lifespan of your roof and minimize the risk of future damage.
Let Dayton Roofing and Renovation Services Help You
Submitting an insurance claim for hailstorm damage to your roof can be a complex process, but with the right knowledge and guidance it becomes more manageable.
By working with a professional contractor and allowing them to communicate directly with your insurance company, your contractor can guide you through the necessary steps and provide a stress free claim process with the fullest realized value reinvested into your home.
By doing so, you’ll ensure a smooth and satisfactory resolution, with best-in-class product upgrades for your roof that protect your home for years to come.
In the event that your roof suffers damage from a hail storm, contact the experts at Dayton Roofing and Renovation Services!
With over 20 years of experience, we can inspect and assess your property’s damage, provide detailed assessments of repair or replacement requirements, collaborate with insurance representatives and work to ensure you receive a fair claims settlement.
We’ll also recommend appropriate solutions to restore the property to its original condition.
And if you have additional questions about insurance claims and/or our roof replacement processes, please refer to this helpful resource with additional information.
