Five Steps to Take if You Have Roof Damage

5/20/2020

If you suspect that your roof sustained damage during a bad storm or by other means, there are important steps you should take to make sure you can get it repaired quickly with the help of your insurance company. Failure to follow these steps could mean you’ll pay more out-of-pocket or even have your claim denied.

Below are five steps you should take if you spot any damage on or around your roof.

Inspect for damage

Before reaching out to your insurance company, it’s important to do an inspection of your roof to fully assess the damage. You can start by looking in the yard for any shingles or tiles that may have fallen during a storm. Look also at your home’s siding. If you see any dents or warped areas there’s a chance your roof is damaged as well.

After a storm, check in the attic for any water stains or leaks in the walls or the ceiling. And look around the chimney as well as at metal fascia on the roof. If any metal parts have come undone they will need to be replaced.

A word of caution: If a tree has fallen on the house, stay out until you get the damage inspected by a tree or roofing professional. Trees can cause significant structural damage to homes and that can mean danger for anyone who tries to step inside.

Take pictures

You can speed up the insurance claim process by having the damage well-documented through photographs. Consider having a roofing professional take the photos of the roof damage, so they can share it in the roof inspection report along with detailed explanations about the extent of the damage and how the roof should be repaired.

Understand your warranty

If you invested in a new roofing system, now is the time to review the warranty to see what is covered. Some roof warranties cover repair and replacement costs only if a part is found to be defective, but they don’t cover repairs that are weather-related. Make sure you know what is covered and what isn’t before starting the insurance process.

Contact your insurance company

Once you’ve pinpointed the damage, photographed it and checked out your warranty, it’s time to call the insurance company and file a claim. Types of coverage vary greatly, but most policies consider the type of damage incurred, the age of the roof, and your location.

Talk to your insurance provider and go over what’s covered in your policy, as well as your deductible. Then, once you get the green light, file the claim. Make sure to save all receipts for the work that’s done so you can submit them to the insurance company for reimbursement or for payment to begin work on the roof.

Choose a roofer

This may be the most important step in repairing your roof damage. Look for a roofing company with claims experience along with an established reputation. The best roofer will help you choose the ideal materials for your roof including alternatives that can help prevent damage in the future.

At CertainTeed, we can repair or replace your roof in the event that its damaged and make sure that it’s as good as new (or better) quickly. Give us a call today.