If your roof gets damaged by high winds, hail, falling debris or other accidental causes, you’ll need to file an insurance claim to cover the cost of shingle roof repairs or a replacement. When such damage occurs, you need get your claim settled quickly and fairly to safeguard your home and protect your investment. Here are some tips on how to expedite the claim process:
Document the Damage
If you can do so safely from the ground, or from inside your attic, take photos of the damage to your roof right away. Doing so can help establish the timeline for the event, and the condition of the roof before emergency repairs are made.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company to notify them about the incident as soon as possible. They can advise you on their specific procedure for filing a claim, and whether you can do so online to speed up the process. Your insurer will also schedule a time for an adjuster to visit and assess the damage.
Get In Touch With Your Roofer
If you already have a relationship with a reputable local roofer who installed your roof, performed inspections or made repairs, contact them to come out and inspect and document the damage and provide you with a detailed estimate. If you need to find a roofing contractor, look for one with good reviews who’s properly licensed, carries workers’ compensation and liability insurance, and is certified by your shingle manufacturer.
Make Emergency Repairs Promptly
Your insurance policy includes a section on your “duties after loss” that tells you what you’re required to do to limit further losses – such as having the damaged area tarped to keep rain out. Have your roofer make any necessary emergency repairs, and get documentation so you can submit it to your insurer along with your claim.
Phone Your Mortgage Company
If you have a mortgage on your home, the settlement check from your insurance company will be made out to you and your lender. Getting the checks endorsed can be a lengthy process, so contact your lender immediately. Ask for a claim packet so you can submit your first settlement check for endorsement as soon as it’s received from your lender.
If your Birmingham home is damaged and you need to file an insurance claim, contact us at Yellowhammer Roofing for a no-cost inspection and shingle roof repair estimate.
