Millions of residents call Texas their home. Thousands of people a day move here for the scenery, the entertainment, family, jobs, and more. Despite all the amazing things about the state, there are also some not-so-nice qualities that Texas holds. The biggest downside is the potential for extreme weather.
A typical roof in Texas lasts about 15 years. When you add in extreme weather conditions, you may have even less life on that beautiful home shield. Unfortunately, you might not realize you have roof damage until it’s too late.
Most roofs in the Austin area have asphalt shingles. You might decide to protect your home and roof with other roofing materials that can be more durable in extreme weather. Metal roofs last longer but are slightly more expensive, however hail damage might be more prominent if it occurs.
If damage to your home does occur, there are different types of roof damage that may cause the need for roof replacement.
Types of damage that indicate you might need roof repair or replacement include:
- Missing shingles
- Water on your ceiling, upstairs or attic
- Your roof is slightly sagging.
- Your roof has outlived its lifespan
- Moss, mold or fungus is taking over
- Your home doesn’t seem as cool as it once was
- Hail damage
- High winds or wind damage can cause loose shingles.
- Structural Damage
- Damaged flashing (A thin material that installers place around the roof to prevent water damage to your home.)
If you determine your roof might have these issues, it’s time to move to the next step; filing an insurance claim.
If you ever do experience roof damage, choose a professional and reputable company to help you.
Here’s how to properly deal with insurance claims:
Before Filing a Claim
Before contacting your insurance company, make sure you:
- Document the damage: Take photos and videos of the damaged areas for evidence. Our experts recommend taking photos of your property with regular inspections. If you have before and after photos, that will greatly help your case.
- Review your policy: Review your coverage, deductibles, and limits to know what to expect when filing a claim. You need to make sure your homeowners insurance covers what you are trying to claim.
- Hire a professional: You want to hire a professional roofing company to assess the damage. They will take photos and deal with your claims with the insurance adjuster. We highly recommended using someone who is familiar with how claims work to get the best outcome.
Filing the Claim
- Initiate the claim: Let your insurance company know about the damage. The sooner you can initiate the claims process, the better.
- Provide requested documentation: Submit all your photos, videos, and roofing estimates that you put together from the “before filing a claim” stage.
- Schedule an inspection: Coordinate with the adjuster to assess the damage. It’s highly recommended to have your experienced roofing estimator or roofing inspector at that appointment.
Working with the Adjuster
- Be present during inspection: Ensure the accuracy of all the information and ask clarifying questions. If you aren’t sure about something, be sure to ask to learn everything you need to know.
- Provide additional information: In some cases, supplemental documentation may be necessary. Usually, your roofing company project manager will help deal with these claims. They will provide any supplemental information needed for the case.
- Review the report: It’s best to make sure that you and your roofing contractor review the report from the adjuster. This ensures there are no discrepancies or issues with the claim.
Resolving the Claim
- Review and understand the settlement: Verify coverage and amounts. Make sure that you show this to your roofing contractor and confirm that everything is correct. Most roofing companies will do the job based on the insurance coverage so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
- Approve repairs: Ensure the agreed-upon work meets standards.Your roofing contractor may have drone video or photos. Make sure they do a final inspection and cleanup at the end of the project.
- Final inspection and payment: Confirm completion and receive payment.
Tips and Reminders
- Communicate effectively: Keep records of conversations and emails. Make sure to be present for the important dates and times of the claims, roofing work, and final process steps.
- Stay organized: Track deadlines and required documentation. Keep physical and digital copies if possible. You can take pictures and save them from your phone to OneDrive or GoogleDrive.
- Hire a professional: Choose a roofing company that has experience with claims, repairs, or replacements. An experienced roofer is worth their weight in gold to ensure everything goes smoothly.
If your roof is 15 years or older, or you believe you may have damage, call us today. Let us give you a free estimate and inspection to see if you qualify for an insurance claim and a new roof!