Your roof is an expensive investment that needs to be maintained and properly cared for. With proper maintenance, your roof will keep your home safe and free from water damage. High winds and stormy weather can wreak havoc on your roof. Broken limbs can land on your roof and puncture the shingles and underlying materials. This is what your homeowners' insurance is for. In most cases, your insurance will be able to help you pay for at least a portion, if not all, of the repairs.
In most cases, if the damage to your roof and home was caused by a storm, it will be covered by your homeowners' insurance policy. This includes wind damage, hail damage, damage caused by fallen or broken limbs, and any resulting storm damage to the interior of the home. An adjuster will be able to determine what damage is associated with the storm and what damage, if any, was pre-existing. As long as it is determined that the damage is storm-related, the repairs to your home will be covered.
As soon as you notice storm damage, you should begin to take pictures prior to cleaning up the mess. As you begin to remove the debris, continue to take photographs so you can capture the full extent of the damage. Once the area has been cleaned up, and all of the debris has been removed, you will want to do whatever is needed to prevent further damage. Cover the area with a large tarp to prevent any more rain or moisture from finding its way into the damaged area. The next step is to file an insurance claim.
An insurance adjuster or claims professional is tasked to uncover what is happening with your home. Is all of the damage caused by the storm, or were there small leaks prior to the damage? By performing a thorough inspection, an adjuster will be able to determine what repairs should be covered and which ones fall outside of the scope of your homeowners' coverage. Maintaining your roof and keeping it in good condition will make their job much easier.
It's important that you don't make any repairs until a claims professional has inspected the damage. The payout you receive will be for both the materials to repair your roof and labor provided by a professional roofer. If you decide to do the work yourself, you may not receive the labor portion of the payout. If you aren't a professional roofer, you can't be paid for a professional service. Instead of making the repairs yourself, hire a professional so that you know the job is done right.
Each storm damage is different. If your roof is older and not properly maintained, your claim may be denied. The adjuster may claim that the roof was weak and could have started leaking with heavy rain. If you want your roofing claims to be approved, remove any debris that you see and maintain your roof. Make repairs as needed and keep animals from causing damage. Clear away dead or dying branches from your trees as you see them.
Taking proper care of your roof is important. A well-maintained roof will prevent interior damage and keep your home looking its best. Contact the agents at Humble Insurance Group today to learn more about how we can help you with all of your home insurance needs.
