It’s vital to address storm damage promptly. Leaving it unattended will only cause the problems to worsen, causing more costly damage. One of the first things you need to do when your home sustains storm damage is review your insurance policy and call your insurer. Filing roofing insurance claims can be a bit tricky, so read on as we discuss common mistakes to avoid as you navigate this process.
1. Failing to Document the Damage – If you intend to file an insurance claim after a storm or natural disaster, one mistake you should avoid making is the failure to document the damage. As soon as the bad weather clears, go outside and take photos and detailed notes of the damage. This will be critical to justify the settlement you’re asking for in your insurance claim.
2. Missing the Deadline – Most insurance companies require you to submit your claim by a certain deadline. Find out what this is and make sure you meet it. Roof replacement experts recommend filing your claim as soon as possible after the storm damage occurs. The insurance company will then send an adjuster to assess the damage and get the ball rolling on processing your claim.
3. Failing to Mitigate the Storm Damage – It may take some time for your claim to be processed and permanent repairs scheduled. In the meantime, however, it’s important to arrange for temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home. For example, your roofer can cover the damaged portion of your roof with a tarp to prevent rainwater infiltration.
4. Accepting the First Settlement Offered by Provider – Be wary of accepting the first settlement your insurance provider offers. This offer may be significantly less than what it will actually cost to repair the storm damage. Remember, you can always negotiate further with your insurance provider if you don’t like the first offer.
Planning to have your roof replaced? Simply turn to ImproveIT! of Atlanta, the number one professionals to approach when it comes to roof repair and replacement services. Give us a call at (770) 525-8836 or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.