Some roofing companies provide services as a go-between with the homeowner and insurance company
Insurance companies consider storm damage to roofs as one of the most often claimed coverage, and they employ adjusters who have undergone special training to work with homeowners. Does this Spark an idea?
Projected Damage
Hail strikes show up as discolored smudges, often oval in shape and slightly dimpled. Evidence of dimpled hail damage can also be seen on metal vents and guttering, and often the soffit and siding.
Missing roof shingles is the easiest and best way to prove wind damage, but even without that it is possible to show a need for repair. Lifting up one shingle and having four or five lift up around it shows that at some time the wind lifted the area up and broke the bond with the roof.
Opening a Claim
The insurance company will want to know when the damage occurred and the specific damage. It normally is willing to provide reimbursement for damages up to two years after an incident happens.
Other questions it will ask concern the age of the home, the length of ownership, any previous claims and the size of the home. It will provide a claim number, and set up an appointment with the adjuster.
Inspection
The insurance adjuster will do a walk around on the roof. Usually for hail damage there must be eight to 10 distinct strikes within a 100-square foot section of the roof. He will also look for wind damage.
There is no penalty to the homeowner if the adjuster finds no damage. The insurance company considers that the homeowner is merely protecting his interest in the property without trying to defraud the insurance company.
The homeowner can appeal and ask for a new adjuster to come out at this point.
If the adjuster finds partial damage, the company may issue a check to cover a percentage of the damage. Again, the homeowner can appeal this decision and request a review.
The third option is that the adjuster finds full damage and the insurance company will cover the cost of a new roof and any other damage.
Partial check
With full damage, the insurance company normally writes an initial check for approximately 30 percent to 40 percent of what it considers a fair cost for a new roof. This may be issued the same day, or it may take several days depending upon the insurance company's policies.
Contractor
With that check in hand, the homeowner can now find a roofing company that will do the work for the same cost as the insurance proceeds.
The usual procedure is for the homeowner to pay the roofing company the same amount as the initial check when the agreement is signed. This allows the company to pay for the material and labor in advance.
Balanced Paid
After the work is completed and certified to the insurance company by the roofing company, it may have its own inspector look over the roof.
It will issue a check for the balance of the money, less the deductible if any, along with any supplemental checks. This check goes to pay the balance of the money due to the roofing company.
Tags: insurance company, roofing company, adjuster finds, damage insurance, damage insurance company
