Filing a homeowners insurance claim is necessary when you’ve had extreme weather and your roof took the brunt of it, but how do you file a claim?
Getting financial relief from your insurance company is a priority, and you want to make sure the claim is expedited and the damages are repaired as quickly as possible.
Get an Inspection
First things first: Call a roofer. Get a professional on the scene — not one sent by the insurance company — who will objectively examine the damage and give you a quote for repairs. At this stage you also should take pictures of your home and roof to use as evidence for your homeowners insurance claim.
Contact the Insurance Company
Next, call the insurance company. Tell them the date of the incident and send them photos of the damage. At this point, they will tell you what paperwork you need to fill out in order for them to process your claim.
Make Emergency Repairs if Necessary
If you need to make emergency repairs, do so immediately. You may be held accountable if you do not do everything in your power to limit the extent of the damage.
Gather Documents
Find a copy of your homeowners insurance policy, the quote from the independent roofer and the paperwork from your initial roof installation. Make sure you retain copies of all photo and video evidence as well.
Meet with the Claims Adjuster
An insurance company representative — a claims adjuster — will visit your home and examine the damage in person. You may want to arrange to have your roofing contractor at this meeting to explain the findings. After the adjuster summarizes his or her assessment, you will be required to pay your deductible and you will work with your insurance company to schedule repair or replacement of the roof.
Find a Contractor You Trust
Throughout the oftentimes challenging process of filing a homeowners insurance claim for a roof, you need a professional you can rely on for guidance. By making sure you select a roofing contractor with a solid reputation, good client references and proper certifications in the field, you are doing yourself a major service.
It’s even better if you can find a contractor who has experience working with insurance companies.
Call the Roof Doctor today for help with all roofing homeowners insurance claims, and find out what steps you should take to get the process started.