When your roof is damaged in a storm or some other way you just couldn’t avoid, the cost of fixing it can be astronomical. After all, those types of things tend to cause a tremendous amount of multi-layer damage across a large area. 

In theory, your insurance company is supposed to run to your aid and pay for the repairs since you’ve been handing them money without any sort of service for years, but unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than that. 

There’s a lot to know about making an insurance claim for roof damage, and if you arm yourself with these facts first, you might just avoid the hassle many policyholders complain about. 

1: They’re Not Your Friends

This one should be obvious. There are entire stereotypes aimed at insurance agents because, in essence, it’s their job to take your money and then do everything in their power to keep it; even if you meet the requirements to use your benefits. 

Be prepared to make multiple calls pushing your claim forward, because it’s very likely they’ll stall for time. 

2: Not Everything is Covered

Insurance isn’t going to cover every single thing that happens to your roof. Most policies will cover the vast majority of extreme weather issues and Acts of God. That typically means a freak accident such as a tree falling on your roof. 

However, damage from neglect most likely isn’t covered. 

3: You May Need Proof

When accidental damage occurs, you may need to provide proof that you have been maintaining your roof before you can have your claim approved. This can include regular inspection receipts. If not, it can be claimed that the lack of maintenance compounded the damage.

4: Take Your Own Pictures

When you make a claim, have no fear. The insurance agency will send their own inspector to assess the damage and take plenty of pictures. These pictures aren’t to help you. They’re to help the insurance agency find a way to deny or reduce your benefits. Take your own pictures of the accident thoroughly in case you need to debate the insurance provider’s decision. 

5: Previous Claims Impact the Process

Let’s say you had minor hail damage in 2012, and you made an insurance claim. The insurance claim gave you $10,000 to repair the damage, but you took the money and spent it on a cruise with your spouse. The damage wasn’t serious, right? 

Well, now your roof receives even worse hail damage, and you go to make a claim. If you don’t have proof that you repaired the previous damage as intended, you can have your claim denied; leaving you in a much worse predicament. 

6: Your Estimate is Key

The insurance company will make their own estimate, but you need a qualified company to inspect the damage and provide their own. Remember, the insurance company wants to save money. You might find out that an actual roofer will need several times what the agency is willing to pay without a bit of a push. 

7: Delaying the Call Hurts You

When roof damage occurs, don’t wait. You need to call your insurance company immediately to get the ball running. You can accidentally go past a deadline and disqualify yourself, or they might use a loophole to deny your benefits.

After the Insurance Agency, Call Us

Right after you call your insurance agency to report damage, call us at A&M Premier. We know how to work with these big insurance companies to provide you with a realistic estimate and ensure you get your roof repaired with as little hassle as possible.