Ritco Group, Inc.

It can be difficult to predict how much impact a hailstorm would have on your home, particularly on your roofing. Although guidelines can give you an idea of what to expect depending on the size of hailstones that will hit your area, there are still other factors that can affect the extent of roof damage – such as the quality, age and current condition of your roofing.

That said, it’s always best to consult local roofing companies and have them inspect your roof after a hailstorm. In case of hail damage, you don’t have to worry so much since this is generally covered by homeowners insurance.

Still not sure what to do after a storm? Here are some tips on handling and filing a hail damage insurance claim.

Types of Roof Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Different types of roof damage can be covered by your insurance policy, but the approval of an insurance claim will still depend on your policy’s terms and the reason(s) for roof repair or replacement. Typically, insurance policies can cover sudden or accidental roofing issues as well as damage caused by certain elements, such as hail, wind, fire or the weight of snow.

Your insurer may also cover the cost of replacing the entire roof even if it is only partially damaged, especially if the damage threatens to shorten the lifespan of your roofing. For example, if your asphalt shingles have been damaged by hail strikes, an adjuster would typically count the strikes that occurred in a section of your roofing. This will help them determine the impact of the hail strikes on the lifespan of your roof.

Tips on Filing a Roof Insurance Claim

Hail damage is not always visible. In some cases, homeowners may only discover a few months later a leak caused by storm-damaged shingles that went unnoticed. That said, it’s always recommended to have a roofing contractor check and assess your roof after a storm. And, if the company does find hail damage on your roofing, below are some of the things that you should keep in mind:

Review Your Insurance Terms

One of the documents that you should secure during your next roofing project is your insurance policy. Make sure to read the contents of this document, and review them before filing a claim. This will help you obtain a good understanding of the type of storm damage that your policy can cover. Also, find out how your storm damage deductibles work or if you have an all-peril deductible. Take note that hail may not be covered by your insurance if it is an excluded peril in your policy.

Contact Your Insurance Company and Contractor

Contact your insurance company and roofing contractor as soon as possible. Most of them operate on a first-case basis, especially when large areas have been affected by a storm. To ensure that you’ll receive timely service, reach out to these parties immediately after the storm.

Take Pictures or Videos of Hail Damage

Photo evidence can be a significant help to your insurance claim. So, make sure to take photos and videos that clearly show the extent of damage on your roofing. It’s also important to act quickly. Your claim would be more substantial if you have pictures of the size of the hailstones that hit your property. You can use a tape measure or a golf ball to serve as reference and proof for the hailstone sizes. Don’t forget to keep a written inventory of the damaged areas, too.

Hire an Independent Contractor to Conduct an Inspection

Before filing a claim, hire a roofing contractor to carry out an inspection and determine the scope of hail damage. This will allow them to give you an estimate of the repair cost. A roof repair estimate from a qualified and credible contractor can help you get the amount that you request and avoid an extremely low price from your insurer.

Set an Appointment With Your Insurance Adjuster

Schedule an appointment with the insurance adjuster so that the person can review your hail damage claim. Take note of the claim review date so that you can prepare in advance, and ensure that you have all the necessary documents to defend your claim requests and assertions. An appointment with the adjuster also ensures that your claim will continue getting attention so that you will move you closer to getting a check to pay for your roof repairs.

Consider Roofing Material That Can Get You an Insurance Discount

When planning for roof replacement, consider materials that are more durable than your old roof. Some insurance companies offer discounts on impact-resistant roofing, so you might want to check with your insurer regarding roof material discounts before taking your pick.

Keep a Record of Your Correspondence

Sometimes, information from your discussions with your insurer and contractor may overwhelm you, and this may cause you to forget or miss some important details. To ensure that you always have accurate information, log any conversations you’ve had with your insurance company and contractor from the start. Take note of the people you have spoken to, when the conversation took place and what they have told you. These records may come in handy when misunderstandings occur, or you simply need to refer back to a previous conversation.

Call Ritco Group for a Consultation

Ritco Group has been in business for more than 40 years. We offer a range of services, including roofing new construction, roof replacement, roof repair, storm damage repair, roof maintenance and more. Our team is composed of skilled and experienced individuals who make sure that every job is done professionally. We can provide services to residential and commercial clients, so you can rest assured that our crew is ready and equipped to handle jobs of various sizes. You can also expect top-notch workmanship regardless of the size of your project. Call us at (931) 381-0175, or fill out our contact form to request a consultation. We serve customers in Columbia, Franklin and Brentwood, TN. We look forward to working with you.