What You Can Do About Roof Hail Damage?
Roof hail damage can happen almost any time of year. If you are experiencing hail in your area, you will want to seek out repairs as time goes on. After years of damage, a roof can be susceptible to leaks and other problems. Here’s what you should do if you think you have roof hail damage:
- Identify roof hail damage
- Have your information in order
- Contact homeowner’s insurance
- Look at financing options
Identify roof hail damage
After a storm, it’s important that you be vigilant about documentation. You will need to go up on your roof and take pictures and categorize roof hail damage. Roof hail damage is oftentimes sporadic; it has no discernible pattern. That is because the weather has no discernible pattern either. However, that isn’t to say you won’t have large patches of your roof damaged. You can document roof hail damage by taking pictures, making notes, and checking for interior damage as well. Also, if the asphalt has been torn away from the shingles, that is a good sign that your roof has been hit by wind and hail damage. All shingles will be affected differently because of the chaotic nature of the storm. However, don’t let that fool you from doing your due diligence and thinking you can’t make a claim with your home insurance provider. Travelers Risk Control also breaks down why you need to document all damage as an aging roof can give false signals:
“There are many other types of damage to shingles that can be mistaken for hail damage. For example, exposure to inclement weather and sunlight makes shingles brittle and gives them an aged appearance. This type of damage is normal wear and tear of shingles, which is sometimes misidentified as hail damage. Other types of normal wear and tear may include blistering, cracking, granule loss, flaking and algae. Manufacturing defects and mechanical imperfections in shingles can also be mistaken for hail damage.”
Should you feel that your roof has experienced hail damage, it is important to document everything. You may need serious roof repair.
Have your information in order
Next, you want to gather all documentation about your roof. Put together any evidence you have of roof hail damage. Also, you’ll want to keep any detailed information you have about any roof maintenance you have performed or had performed by someone else. This can affect your policy on your homeowner’s insurance. Usually, it can be worked out swiftly. However, you can work with a roofing company to help you with roofing insurance claims.
Contact homeowner’s insurance
If you do have homeowner’s insurance, you will want to contact them for roof repairs. Knowing how much your insurance covers can be tricky. If you have the insurance you need then you will be able to file a claim, and then you will select a roofing company to fix the roof or replace it. If successful, your insurance will be applied in one of two ways:
ACV (Actual Cash Value) Coverage: With ACV, your insurer pays to repair or replace your roof, less your deductible, and depreciation for the age and type of roof.
RCV (Replacement Cost Value) Coverage: The insurer pays all the cost of replacing your roof, less your deductible
However, you can also have a company work within filing your insurance claims. This can streamline the process to ensure you get the best deal and get exactly what your insurance covers. When you partner with a roofing company, they can help you:
- Get an inspection on your roof
- Get an estimate on the damage
- If damage exists and it’s more than your deductible, file an insurance claim
- Meet with the insurance adjuster to discuss coverage options
- If approved for the claim, get the first check from the insurance
- Have the roof repaired by your roofer
- Get the second check from insurance (if you have Replacement Cost Coverage)
- Pay roofer remainder
Look at financing options
When dealing with roof hail damage, each case is different. You may have minor damage that is easily covered or more extensive damage. In any case, with or without insurance you will need to look at financing options to pay for the damage. Once you have that squared away, you’ll be able to have the roofing repair company come to your home. Don’t wait; talk with both your insurance company and the roofing company to get the best deal possible.
Has your roof experienced any hail damage? What about wind damage? Don’t know what your insurance will cover? Galaxy Construction and Roofing can help you. Not only will we work with your insurance provider, but we can also give you financing options if your insurance won’t cover the repairs. Contact us today and get a free inspection of your roof.
