Avoid These Mistakes When Filing An Insurance Claim After Roofing Damage

If your roof has been damaged in a storm or other incident, filing an insurance claim can be uncharted waters. Stressful, but necessary, an insurance claim is how you will get your roof repaired. Unfortunately, roof repairs in Napa are often denied because of homeowners’ mistakes during the claim process. These mistakes can make or break how an insurance company deals with your claim and whether a thorough repair will be made, but can be avoided if you know what to look for.

Full Documentation

Before you call your insurance company, you want to be armed with a thorough assessment of the damage. It is important to call a roofing contractor before the insurance company so you can get a complete estimate of the damage to your roof and how much it will cost to repair it. Full documentation is important when filing an insurance claim. It is important for a homeowner to be able to provide proof that the damage was not due to homeowner negligence.

Insurance companies recommend that you keep detailed photographs and documentation to prove that you are keeping your home in good condition. When you are documenting the condition of your roof, make sure to take photos of the roof as well as the underlying structural features. If any issues occur, you will then have photographs to give the adjuster to give a basis of comparison.

As a homeowner, it is important to correct minor roofing problems as they occur. Minor problems that are ignored tend to lead to further damage in the future. Make sure you do timely repairs of cracks and leaks as they arise and keep the receipts. If you hire a Napa contractor for your roof repairs, keep a copy of the invoice.

Warranties

Insurance can deny coverage if your roof’s warranty expired or was not sufficient to cover something that resulted in damage. It is important to know the scope of your roof’s warranty and its limitations, exceptions, and exclusions. Weather incidents and natural events are seldom covered by roof warranties.

Hire a Roofing Contractor With Care

After a weather incident, some roofing contractors will send out representatives door to door. It is important to take care when hiring a contractor at these times. Ask for insurance and bonding information. Working on roofs can be dangerous and contractors should have their own comprehensive insurance. Prices that seem too good to be true often are for a reason. Take time to hire a contractor with local references and a good reputation. It is also important that you hire one with insurance claim experience,

Time Is Of The Essence

Most insurance companies require that you file a claim within a certain period of time from the incident. Make sure that you keep mindful of that timeline so you won’t miss that cut off time.

After your roof has been damaged, call the expert roof repairs specialist in Napa. At Modern Method Roofing, we have been in business for over 63 years helping countless homeowners navigate insurance claims after damage. We will inspect your roof completely and can often spot minor and hidden signs of damage that others may not detect. After roof damage, you want a trusted roofing contractor on your side. Call us today.