What you need to know about filing an insurance claim for roof damage?

Heavy wind can damage your roof in a number of ways. It could cause your shingles to curl, your vents to become clogged, your paint to peel, your roof to be damaged by fallen branches or trees. What you need to know about filing an insurance claim for roof damage?

It’s crucial to understand what type of damage to your roof is covered by insurance if you live in a region prone to storm damage. Certain roof materials can withstand the high winds that are caused by storms. However, other roofing material is more vulnerable to wind damage. Knowing what type of the wind insurance coverage is covered by your homeowner’s insurance claims will help you prepare better for the worst.

We would send you a contractor from our Raleigh roofing company to inspect your roof. This will ensure that it can withstand future storms and weather conditions without further damage. Roof damage can be avoided with an annual inspection of your roof and regular roof maintenance.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, wind damage is typically covered when it’s caused by hail and other forms of extreme weather, but not if it’s simply due to winds reaching a certain speed or exceeding standard thresholds. Additionally, deductibles for wind damage are often higher than standard homeowners’ insurance deductibles.

What is Wind Damage?

Strong winds can cause damage to your roof. While many people think that extreme weather conditions like hurricanes or tornados are the primary culprits of property damage, they’re not. Wind gusts can damage any roof material, even if fallen trees, power lines, and flying debris are the result of a strong wind.

Wind damage can cause your roof to be damaged in many ways:

• Damaged asphalt shingles. When the asphalt shingles of your roof are curled, raised, turned up, or flapping or show signs of granules loss, they’ve suffered wind damage. Your home will need roof repairs.
• Lacking shingles: When you see missing shingles on your roof it is an indication that your roof was damaged by wind speed. The shingles were lifted off the roof and need immediate repairs.
• Leakage of water: A leaky roof is a roof-damaging issue which requires immediate attention by a reputable local roofing contractor like Artisan Quality Roofing.

• Damp Rafts: When your roof is damaged, you will notice that there are damp rafters and/or moisture in your attic. It could be caused by leaking seams, excessive weight, wind or snow damage, heavy rain or leaky roof seams.
• Flashing:There is a number of stress points in your house that are more susceptible to damage. The flashing surrounding your home and chimney flashing are two examples. High wind speeds can easily lift, separate, or crack the flashing around the corners of your chimney.
• Gutters High winds can cause gutters to become clogged with debris and dirt. They may also be encrusted with ice, rainwater and tree branches.

Causes of Wind Damage

Wind damage is most commonly caused by:

• Winds that blow straight-line caused by storms.
• Extreme weather events like a tornado or hurricane.
• Wind speeds exceeding 74mph.
• High winds can cause hail damage.
• Trees that have fallen or been uprooted.
• The flying branches of trees
• Glass flying from broken windows
• Flying outdoor furniture.
• Leaves, dirt, and debris.
• Roofs that have not had regular annual inspections.

What is the Best Roof Type for Avoiding Wind Damage?

Roofs come in many different styles and types, each with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Schedule a roofing consultation with your local company if you live in a region prone to strong winds capable of causing roof damage.

It’s important to choose the right local roofing company for your replacement roof to prevent wind damage. Artisan Quality Roofing contractors are the best to assist you with a thorough inspection.

Ways to Prevent Wind Damage to Your Roof

• Landscape with lightweight materials to avoid damaging a roof in the event of strong winds.
• Trim and clear trees away from the roof.
• Install storm shutters
• Keep your gutters clean.
• When a storm approaches, reinforce your house with materials that will protect it.
• When a storm warning is issued, remove or anchor heavy objects such as patio furniture and BBQs.
• Ventilate your roof properly.
• Roof inspections should be performed annually.
• If you think your roof has been damaged, call a roofing contractor in the area.

According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, an effective way of protecting your roof from wind damage is to install a hip roof. Hip roofs have four sloping sides that come together to form a ridge at the top, which creates a more aerodynamic shape that is better able to resist wind uplift.

What to Do if My Roof is Damaged by High Winds?

If it is too late, and you have already suffered roof damage due to wind?

If your roof has been damaged by strong winds, here are some steps you can take:

• Look for damage to your roof and other parts of the property.
• Remove any debris, such as fallen branches or sticks from your yard.
• Check your attic and home for any signs of water damage such as water stains or chipped paint.
• Photograph any roof damage, interior and exterior damage to your property.
• A roof inspection is necessary for roof repairs or roof replacement.
• Check to see if your roof warranty covers any damage.
• You can file a claim for your homeowners insurance.

The amount of wind damage your roof can sustain depends largely on the type of material used. According to experts, metal roofs are the best option when it comes to withstanding high winds as they are resistant to both wind uplift and debris impact. Additionally, a properly installed metal roof can withstand winds up to 140 mph.

Is Roof Damage Covered by Insurance?

To file an insurance claim to cover your roof damages, you must prove that a severe weather event caused the roof damage claim above.

Most insurance companies will cover the claims process for following events for damage:

• Winds that can cause damage
• Thunderstorms.
• Hail storms.
• Winter storms.
• Tornados.
• Weather-related tree branch fall
• If the damage occurred within a year or two of filing your claim, you may be eligible for a discount (depending on which insurance company you are with).

Filing an Insurance: know about filing an insurance claim for roof damage

Call your insurer immediately after taking pictures. You will need to describe the wind damage or storm to an insurance company agent.

An insurance adjuster will be sent by your home insurance claim and company to evaluate any roof damage. The home insurance company might ask you to call the local roofing contractor to get pictures of any visible damage and send them back for approval.

You will be either approved if there are signs of hail and wind damage, or you may not get approval if they find no evidence of wind and hail damage.

What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Denies My Claim for Roof Damage?

You can ask your insurer to send you a second adjuster if your claim is still denied. This will allow a second look at the damage caused by wind and roof. An adjuster may miss damage from wind, but a second insurance adjuster can easily approve your roof insurance claim again.

You can hire an engineer if you’re denied insurance adjuster after filing a claim a second or third time. They will assess the damages and report their findings back to the mortgage company and home homeowners insurance provider if the latter disagrees with the first adjuster who denied the claim.

What Happens After You Are Approved by Insurance for a Roof Damage Claim?

If your claim for roof damage claims is approved by the insurance company, then you should schedule repairs to your roof claim be done with an experienced local roofer who has worked with insurance claim companies that cover homeowners.

Why Might My Roof Damage Insurance Claim be Denied?

If you are able to prove the damage caused to the roof claim of your house by severe weather, you will be unlikely to encounter any obstacles that prevent the homeowners insurance claim company covering the cost for repairs to the roof or for the full replacement cost actual cash value.

Roof insurance claims are often denied for the following reasons:

• Roof damage is not visible.
• Your roof insurance claim was not filed in a timely manner.
• You roof system is not properly installed.

How to Repair Roof Damage Caused by Strong Winds

It is possible to fix roof damage that has been caused by high winds. Hiring a well licensed contractor or professional roofing contractor expert to install and fix entire roof materials is the most important thing.

How do I make a successful roof leak insurance claim?

Consider the four steps below when determining what caused the flooding on your property: Record the entire event. Schedule an appointment right away. Be prepared for another opinion. This “French” for “frustration” is gradually damaged.

FAQ

How many shingles need to be missing for insurance company?

In general, insurance policies cover similar products. Any shingles that are missing, or no longer on the entire roof, must be replaced by an insurance company estimate.

How do you describe roof damage?

External forces cause roof damage, which occurs instantly. This is different from the normal damage that happens as your current roof-ing ages. Repair or replacement cost value actual cash value is required, but it isn’t immediately obvious. August 18, 2020.

Does homeowners insurance adjuster cover shingles blown off?

Yeah. Most home insurance policies cover the replacement cost value of a new roof when a roof is damaged by windstorms, hailstorms or fire. A fire is an example of a danger that can be covered by home insurance claims. Jan 20, 2022.

How do I avoid roof scams?

After a severe storm, fraudulent contractors will take advantage of the homeowners. Roof repair scams are common. A contractor will demand payment and repair estimate upfront and then disappear with it. The work is usually incomplete, shoddy and made with substandard material.

National Insurance Crime Bureau insurance company warns consumers to avoid contractors that demand upfront payment or bids much lower than others. The contractor may offer you a special hurricane deal or rebate on the repair replacement cost coverage depreciated value or your insurance deductible.

Can you get standalone roof insurance company for hail damage?

Roof coverage for hail is usually included in a standard policy of home insurance. However, some states permit insurance company to exclude or partially exclude hail from the home insurance policy.

You may have the option to:

• Purchase a windstorm policy and a hail insurance company separately.
• Purchase hail insurance company as an endorsement to your home policy. This may include a wind and hail separate deductible.
• Buy a policy under the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements plan (FAIR), which provides homeowners with last-resort coverage if they can’t find another insurer.

How do you prove hail damage on a roof?

Take photos or videos of hail damage on your roof replacement as soon as possible. Note the date and cause of damage. To begin the claim process, contact your home insurer.

 

Final

Filing an insurance claim for roof damage is important to ensure that you receive the necessary financial assistance to repair or replace your roof. When your roof is damaged due to a storm, hail, or other covered perils, it is crucial to document the damage by taking photographs and making detailed notes. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage and initiate the claims process.

An adjuster will be assigned to assess the damage and determine the amount of coverage you are eligible for. It is essential to review your insurance policy to understand the coverage limits and any deductibles that may apply. Once the claim is approved, you can proceed with repairing or replacing your roof, keeping all receipts and invoices for reimbursement.