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A Guide to Dealing with Wind Damage Roof Insurance Claims

A Guide to Dealing with Wind Damage Roof Insurance Claims

 

If you live somewhere with inclement weather, you should learn how to handle roof insurance claims in the event of a natural disaster.

Wind storms, hail storms, tornadoes, and thunderstorms can all wreak havoc on your home. Unfortunately, strong gusts of wind can damage your rooftop, resulting in roof leaks and other potentially devastating and costly damage. 

Continue reading to learn more about roof insurance claims as they pertain to roof damage. 

Wind Damage in Utah

Although tornadoes, hail storms, and hurricanes are extremely rare in the Beehive State, it is still susceptible to hurricane-force windstorms. For instance, the 2020 Utah windstorm left approximately 200,000 homes and businesses without power and toppled thousands of trees. Many residents were caught off guard by this natural disaster, but it served as a bitter reminder that property damage can happen to anyone in the blink of an eye. 

Wind Damage Defined

Most people mistakenly associate wind damage with hurricanes and tornadoes; however, any major wind event can cause property damage. Damaging winds, also known as straight-line winds, can exceed 50-60 mph, sometimes exceeding 100 mph. 

What Wind Damage Means for Your Roof

Your home’s roof is one of the areas most vulnerable to this type of destruction. Your roof’s corners and edges are more likely to be impacted by high or strong winds since they are more prone to extreme stress than the center of it. The effect that wind damage can have on your roof depends on the materials used and the power and range of the winds. 

For these reasons and more, it is essential to schedule a professional roof inspection from The Roof Doctor. We have the relevant experience and tools to climb up and check your rooftop for this type of damage in a safe manner. 

Understanding Wind Damage Roof Insurance Claims

Although Utah does see its fair share of inclement weather, wind storms are not a regular occurrence, so you may not know how to deal with wind damage insurance claims. This type of damage may be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy, but you should examine your policy and see if you are covered for roof damage. One of the best moves you can take if your property is damaged is to document it by taking pictures. Images and videos of the damage, such as toppled chairs and tables, fallen tree branches, and more, will be invaluable when you file a roof damage insurance claim.

The Roof Doctor Can Help

If your home or business’s roof is impacted by wind damage or any other natural disaster, the expert roofers at The Roof Doctor can help with any necessary roof inspections, repairs, or replacement. We serve Salt Lake City, Tooele, Layton, Ogden, Bountiful, Orem, Provo, and neighboring cities in Utah. Please reach out to us today to learn more. 

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Will My Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

Will My Insurance Cover Roof Leaks

Roof leaks can occur for a variety of reasons, but they are always an unwelcome surprise when they appear.

Understanding how your insurance works concerning roof leakage may help ease the blow if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation.

Luckily, most homeowner’s insurance policies cover some extent of leak damage, but it depends on the nature of the leak.

Examples of Covered Perils

Home insurance covers roof leaks if the damage is caused by a covered peril. A peril is an incident that causes property damage or loss. Here are some examples of covered perils that are commonly named in insurance policies:

  • Fires
  • Lightning
  • Wind or hailstorms
  • Explosions
  • Vandalism or theft
  • Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
  • Freezing

Perils that Are Excluded

Each insurance policy names certain perils that will not be covered. Here are some common exclusions that might cause a roof leak:

  • Neglect
  • Mold or rot
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Settling, shrinking, bulging, or expansion
  • Pets, birds, rodents, and insects

As long as the roof damage did not occur as a result of an excluded peril, you should have coverage under your insurance plan.

The same roof coverages and exclusions also apply to any other damages to your home that were caused by the leak.

How to File an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage

  1. Take photos.

Not only should you take pictures of the leak origin, but we recommend documenting any other relevant property damage as well. For example, if the leak is a result of a storm, taking pictures of any fallen trees, toppled chairs, or other casualties of the storm will help make a claim more valid.

  1. Hire a roofing contractor.

Even if you feel confident in your DIY abilities, consulting a knowledgeable roofing contractor is wise when it comes to roof leakage. The Roof Doctor will make sure that nothing is overlooked so that you have the strongest claim possible.

We will also provide you with an estimate so that you can determine whether or not it is advantageous to file a claim. If your deductible is larger than the repair cost, you should consider the value of pursuing a claim.

  1. Contact your insurance provider.

If the value of the destruction is greater than your deductible, reach out to your insurance agent to start the claims process. They will review your documents and arrange an inspection by an adjuster. The Roof Doctor prefers to be on-site for this process so that the adjuster is properly noting all roof damage.

Need to Repair Your Leaky Roof? Contact The Roof Doctor

Roof leaks are a hassle, but with The Roof Doctor, they don’t have to be. Contact us today to coordinate a roof inspection with your insurer’s claims adjuster.

We are proud to provide quality roof installations and repairs throughout Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Layton, Bountiful, Orem, Provo, and everywhere in between in Utah.

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Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover My Roof?

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover My Roof

Being a homeowner comes with countless responsibilities, and the majority of them protect their investment with homeowner’s insurance.

A good policy will cover any detached property, personal belongings, and the home itself, including your roof. But what happens if your roof becomes damaged?

Read more about this type of insurance and your roof below.

Q: Does homeowner’s insurance cover my roof?

A: Generally speaking, yes. A typical insurance policy will cover your roof and the cost of repairs or replacement if it becomes damaged. However, the fine print typically states that you’re only covered if the damage to your roof is a result of a sudden accident or act of nature. Furthermore, insurance doesn’t cover issues born from overall wear and tear or a roof that has exceeded its intended life span. These problems are the homeowner’s responsibility and aren’t eligible for reimbursement.

Q: How does roof coverage work?

A: Your roof arguably receives the most direct exposure to intense weather and sunrays. Depending on where you live, it can be exposed to several elements, such as heavy snow, hail, and ice storms in northern climates. Tornados and cyclones are common storms in the midwest. Tropical climates often suffer from hurricane-force winds.

While these elements differ from one another, they can all wreak major havoc on your roof. When your roof becomes damaged or destroyed from these natural events or accidents, such as debris falling from an overhead explosion, your home usually qualifies for a total or partial replacement.

When these events occur, you’ll be required to meet your policy deductible, and then coverage can kick in. Some high-risk states impose rules and exceptions on some policies. For example, you may have a higher deductible for damage caused by a hurricane. Homeowners in those areas may even be required to purchase additional coverall or a separate weather-related policy.

How to Get Reimbursed by My Insurance

The moment your roof is damaged, reach out to your insurance company for an inspection. Before they get to your house, make sure you gather any pertinent documents, such as your insurance policy, inspection reports, and pictures of the damage, which will be useful in the claims process. An adjuster from your insurance company will come to your house to inspect your roof and give their assessment.

PRO TIP — Take photos of your undamaged roof now so that if your roof becomes damaged and you have to work with your insurance, you’ll have a “before” picture to show them.

Contact The Roof Doctor

If your roof has become damaged and your homeowner’s insurance will cover it, you can count on the roofing specialists at The Roof Doctor. When the insurance adjuster inspects your roof, we’ll be by your side to ensure they properly note all its damage to maximize your reimbursement.

Contact us today so that we can coordinate a roof inspection with your insurance company’s claims adjuster. We serve Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Layton, Brigham City, Bountiful, and everywhere in between!