Claim a New Roof on Your Homeowner's Insurance
A tree in the middle of your house or hail damage to the shingles on the roof will make you glad to have a homeowner's insurance policy, but filing a claim can cause a lot of stress. It may seem like a process that is never going to end, but knowing some things to do when claiming a new roof on your insurance policy can help make the process easier. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Call your insurance agent. Report the damage of your roof to the insurance agent as soon as you can. If the damage has been caused by a natural disaster (high wind or hail), it can take a considerable amount of time for your claim to be handled, since other homeowners in the area are probably filing the same type of claim with the insurance company too.
2. Take photos to document the damage. It may not be practical to wait for the claims adjuster (the person who will investigate your insurance claim) to arrive. When this is the case, take good, clear photos of the damage before you begin repairs, since once you start to fix things it may be hard to prove what happened.
3. Cover the damage temporarily with a tarp or wood. Since your insurance coverage may pay for the roof, but not for household contents if they become wet, it will be your responsibility to take steps to minimize any future damage that might occur. Place a tarp or nail wood over roof openings (if practical), or remove items of value from the area below the opening.
4. Document all expenses and repairs. Once your deductible has been met, you may be entitled to recover the expenses for not only the new roof, but the cost of having a tree removed or replacement of your television antennae. Keep all receipts and invoices of your expenses to get reimbursed.
5. Get estimates for your new roof. Your insurance company may have a list of companies you can use or request that you get estimates from roofing companies in your area.
If you are getting your own estimates, make sure each company is licensed and insured, or this may delay the approval for your new roof.
Tags: your roof, Claim Roof, Claim Roof Your, insurance agent, insurance company
