If your structure has dealt with recent storm damage and requires resulting roof repairs, the professionals at The Roof Doctor are at the ready. Our storm damage roof repair services are second to none, and on top of the highest-quality materials and technicians working on your roof, we’re also proud to provide assistance with assessing the scope of the damage and resulting insurance claims.
In part one of this two-part blog series, we dug into some of the immediate insurance-related areas you have to consider after storm damage impacts your roof. In today’s part two, we’ll look at the ins and outs of actually filing your primary claim when the time comes, plus a few important before and after areas to be sure you consider properly.
Before Filing – Check Deductible
For starters, there’s one area to be diligent in checking before you enter the process of filing your insurance claim: Your insurance policy deductible. Take the time to get an estimate of the damage and the cost to repair it, something our pros are happy to help with, and then check this number against your deductible – if the cost won’t be too much higher than the deductible amount to begin with, you may decline to file the claim at all.
Reporting Claims
It’s important to stay on top of things here and make these determinations quickly. Here are some general tips on filing your claim once you’ve decided that this is the proper course of action:
- Generally speaking, we highly recommend discussing the details of your coverage with an insurance adjuster, not with your insurance agent.
- Your insurer can be a resource to you throughout this process, one you should lean on if you have questions or concerns. This is an experienced, objective party, one who often has connections with local contractors and can get you great deals on your repairs.
- For those looking to handle their claims online, a growing number of insurers can process these claims seamlessly.
- If you’re unsure about your insurance policy or looking for a new agent or policy, the Utah Insurance Department keeps an online search tool
Post-Filing Details
Throughout the claim process, even once you’ve filed, it’s vital to keep detailed records of all the damage on your property. If you choose to make temporary repairs while waiting on your claim, something we discussed in part one of this blog, ensure you have copies of receipts and any other documentation needed. We recommend keeping a phone log for all related calls made in this area.
In addition, a few post-filing details to be aware of:
- The insurer has a minimum of 30 days to investigate the claim in question.
- Within 15 days of filing your claim, your insurance company should contact you. Insurance companies should always provide a response within 15 days of a reasonable request.
For more on filing insurance claims following storm damage, or to learn about any of our roof replacement or roofing repair services, speak to the staff at The Roof Doctor today.