FAQ

A: Peace of mind. If your home is damaged, you may have a limited time to file an insurance claim. It is always smart to schedule your repairs as soon as possible.

A: Typically, insurance companies cannot single out a homeowner for a rate increase based on an “Act of God” storm damage claim. However, your insurance company can raise rates for everyone in your area. So, if you don’t file a claim, your increase in premium will pay for everyone else’s repairs, except for yours.

A: If your insurance company is paying for your repairs, it may not be in your best interest to hire the cheapest contractor. The factors you’ll want to consider are quality, service, workmanship, materials and warranty.

A: Many contractors offer homeowners cash bonuses for displaying a sign in your yard, or for referrals to other homeowners. Ask your contractor about the programs they offer.

A: The time you have to file an insurance claim varies by insurance company, but most insurance policies limit your time to file a claim, within 12-24 months of the storm. Contact your insurance agent, or insurance company to see how long you have to file a claim.

A: You can request three separate adjuster inspections and re-file a claim that has been denied. To increase your chances of approval make sure your contractor present during the inspection. Experienced storm restoration contractors can often help get your claim approved, even if it has been previously denied.

A: Yes. If your neighbors have storm damage and are getting their roof repaired or replaced, chances are very good you have storm damage as well.

A: Homeowners with hail damage may notice small dents on rain gutters or air conditioning units, missing or bent shingles, washout (granules accumulating in gutters or downspouts), moist areas on your ceiling indicating leaks, cracks or dents in windows or siding, shredded plants and flowers, leaves knocked off trees and dents in cars parked on the street. If your car has damage, or your neighbors are getting their roof replaced, chances are your property has sustained damage as well.

A: A hail hit on asphalt shingles looks like a dark spot, or bruise, where the roofing granules have been knocked away. In some cases you may find holes, cracking, or missing shingles on roofs that have been damaged by hail.

A: It can be difficult to identify signs of hail damage, and almost impossible to do so from ground level. Have a trained professional inspect your property and look for damage that can lead to leaks, flooding, structural damage and other serious issues.

A: The most common problems associated with hail damage are leaking water and flooding. Over time, water that leaks through tiny holes in your roof caused by hail can cause serious issues including water damage, mold and structural damage, including roof collapse.

A: If your roof has been damaged by a storm and you are filing an insurance claim to pay for the repairs, there is no advantage to doing the work yourself. Hire a reputable contractor, with storm damage experience that is committed to quality workmanship.

A: Yes. If you plan to sell your home in the future, it is critical to address storm damage issues immediately. Many homeowners are shocked to learn they have costly storm damage to repair before they can sell, long after the time to file an insurance claim has expired.

A: No. Storm damage is almost always a named exclusion in manufacturers, homebuilders and contractors warranties, which are designed to cover issues with materials and workmanship, not storm damage, or other factors beyond control.

A: You have two basic options. First, you can try to fix the problem by repairing or patching your roof. Or, you can completely replace your roof. If you are filing an insurance claim, you should contact a reputable insurance restoration contractor who can help you determine the best option for your situation.

A: On shingle roofs, hail causes damage to the tiny granules that protect your roof from the sun. As the asphalt underlayment is exposed, the corners start to curl up and become brittle. Hail damage can cause your roof to leak and on tile, slate, and shake single roofs, hail can cause cracking, breaking and accelerated shingle aging. The most common hail damage issues are:

1. Leaking, dripping and water stains in your house
2. Hail damage accelerates shingle aging and granule loss
3. Reduces the value of your home
4. Can cause mold and structural damage
5. Voids manufacturer warranty for materials

A: Typically, if your roof has 10-16 verified hits per 100 square feet on every slope, your insurance company will declare your roof a total loss, and replace your roof.

A: The devastating nature of hail damage is that you might not start experiencing problems, such as leaking, mold, or structural damage right away. But, because most insurance companies limit the time you can file a claim, it is important to get your roof inspected and fixed immediately, before your time to file a claim expires.

A: The purpose of insurance is to protect your property against losses that affect value, functionality and safety. If your home has sustained damage, your insurance company will provide compensation to have your property repaired.

A: There are many reasons why this can happen, but it’s a pretty common story. Sometimes insurance adjusters are inexperienced and don’t know what to look for. Other times they simply make mistakes. Sadly, it is becoming more common for insurance companies to deny claims, hoping you won’t re-file. Remember, your insurance company is in business to make money, so protect yourself by always having your contractor present during inspections.