The first few hours after a storm are the most critical. In addition to dealing with the stress caused by damage to property and threats to safety, you will also need to make important decisions during this time, so you need to know what to expect in the event a storm hits your area. Here’s a quick guide on how to deal with a storm-damaged roof.
Make Sure Your Family Is Safe
First things first: make sure your family is safe. In case the storm has damaged parts of your home that may lead to hazards like broken glass or exposed electrical lines, have your family stay put as you clear a path and turn off the power mains. You and your family will need to stay out of the house while the roof is being repaired, so you should add arranging temporary accommodations for your family – either at relatives or at a nearby hotel – to your to-do list.
Call Your Insurance Provider and Roofing Contractor
After you have made sure your family is safe and sheltered, your next two phone calls should go out to your insurance provider and roofing contractor:
Your insurance provider will send an insurance adjuster, who will perform an investigation and assess the extent of the damage. Later on, the company will help you prepare a list of requirements for filing an insurance claim. You will also be informed about deductibles and other things that may not be covered by your insurance plan.
Your roofing contractors will ultimately perform the repairs, but before they do that, they need to inspect the damage independently. This helps ensure accuracy in the insurance adjuster’s report. Your roofer will also provide an estimate of the repair costs, which will also be needed by your insurance provider to get your claim started. If they haven’t already done so, your roofing contractor may also install temporary roofing to prevent further damage to the roof.
Claims Processing
Your insurance adjuster will inform you when your claim is expected to be processed, which may sometimes take one or two weeks. A typical insurance claim payout typically comes in two payments: the first check covers the down payment so your roofing contractor can begin repair work. The second check covers the rest of the approved claim amount, after deductibles. The process may sound overwhelming, but working with the right contractor can help ease the process.
Ritco Group is your leading provider of residential and commercial roofing services. Give us a call at (931) 381-0175. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Brentwood and Murfreesboro, TN.