Roofing Insurance Claims
What You Need to Know About Insurance Claims
If your roof has been damaged by a storm, wind, water, hail, or trees, you may qualify for an insurance claim.
BEFORE filing a claim with your insurance company, read this helpful guide!
Home insurance companies can be tricky to deal with, and having an experienced roofing contractor on your side can make all the difference, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. West County Roofing has navigated many hail and storm damage claims throughout St. Louis.
In this insurance guide we will cover:
- How to determine if your roof damage qualifies for an insurance claim
- Working with a contractor
- The roof insurance claim process
- The different types of roof insurance
- More helpful tips to know
Contact us today for a free roof assessment. We can help guide you every step of the way.
Is My Roof Damaged?
If a storm has recently rolled through, you may be wondering if you have storm damage that requires repair. Or you may know you have some damage, but are wondering it it’s worth filing an insurance claim.
It’s important to inspect your roof and property for damage right away, since most insurance policies include a time deadline with a statute of limitations for how long after an incident you can file a new claim.
A prompt inspection of any damage is also important to protect your home or business. A roof leak can cause hidden interior damage or mold, that you may not be able to see with the naked eye until it has grown into an even bigger problem.
The best way to determine for sure if you have claimable roof damage is to bring in an expert roofing and construction contractor. But there are some clues you can look for right away yourself.
Property Damage Can Indicate Roof Damage
Take a quick walk around your home or business to look for any of these red flags:
- Fallen trees or debris that has landed on or near your roof or property
- Shredded trees or plants with leaves or bark stripped off
- Dented or hanging gutters, screens or downspouts
- Chips, cracks or damage to siding, windowsills or casings
- Torn or damaged window or door screens
- Dents or visible damage on HVAC equipment
- Chipped paint or dents on decks or fences
- Discoloration or dark spots on shingles
- Cracked, chipped or missing roof tiles
- Dents in flat roof surfaces or exhaust vents
If you see any of this type of damage after a storm, you may have claimable roof damage. Contact a roofing professional for a thorough roof inspection. West County Roofing’s contractors are happy to provide you a no cost, no obligation assessment and quote.
Our experienced roofers will document any damage to your home or business with photos and a written record. We will help guide you every step of the way, to determine whether or not you should file an insurance claim.
When to Contact a Roofing Contractor
If you find any of these signs of damage on your property, contact a roofing professional with experience navigating storm related roof damage, BEFORE you file an insurance claim.
A qualified roofing contractor can provide you with all the correct documentation to provide to the insurance company, for a smoother, easier claim process. And also can be your advocate while working with the insurance company to get your claim covered.
At West County Roofing & Construction we have dealt with plenty of storm restorations and repairs. We know exactly what insurance companies look for.
- We provide the documentation they want to see.
- We write estimates in the format they prefer.
- Our public adjuster partners can negotiate on your behalf.
- Our team will help you through the entire process, easing your stress & burden.
If you have property damage from a storm, hail, water, trees, fallen debris, fire, or other natural disaster, you will want an experienced team like West County Roofing & Construction to have your back. We will restore your residential or commercial roof correctly, to ensure your home or business is ready to withstand the elements.
Types of Insurance Policies
Not all insurance policies are created equal. Some policies don’t cover the amount you need after a natural disaster. It’s important to the type of insurance coverage you have, so you can know how much out of pocket costs to expect.
Insurance companies pay different amounts to fix or replace property damage depending on the type of storm coverage you purchased with your policy. The amount you get for your claim, after the deductible is paid, depends on whether your policy includes ACV or RCV coverage.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) vs Replace Cost Value (RCV) Coverage
ACV is calculated by the amount required to replace or repair your roof, minus any loss in value associated with the age of your roof.
RCV is calculated by the amount required to replace or fix your roof, without subtracting value for the age of your roof.
As you can imagine, ACV results in more out of pocket expense for the property owner, which can catch people off guard. This is why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the coverage provided in your policy ahead of time.