The top part of a building or construction is called a roof. It is placed on and supported by the walls of the building. A roof shields you from the vagaries of nature and provides a safe haven for you and your loved ones.
Roofs could be made of asphalt or wood shingles, metal, slate, clay or concrete tiles, and even Tesla solar tiles. All these materials can get damaged due to inclement weather conditions and normal wear and tear. Cracking of asphalt shingles is common when outside temperatures change unexpectedly. Routine maintenance of your roof is a must if you want it to last for a long time. If well-maintained, asphalt roofing can last for many years, and roofs made of slate, clay, or cement tile can last a lifetime.
Certain parts of the roofing structure are more susceptible to damage like chimneys, valleys between roof slopes, and improperly installed drip-edge. A suitable time to inspect the condition of your roof is during summer and fall and before the onset of winter and spring. While roof damage is not uncommon, it is considered to be a serious problem.
The important thing is to find the roof damage while it is still small and repairable. A damaged roof allows water to seep in, which can ruin your ceilings and walls. This could cause mold, which can be harmful to the health of your family.
Standard homeowner’s insurance covers damage caused to your roof by hail, windstorms, fire, tornadoes, and vandalism.
Study your insurance policy carefully to identify what it covers before contacting your insurance company. When filing an insurance claim, it is imperative to document the damage. Inspect the ravaged areas of your roof carefully, and note down descriptions of all the damage you can see. Take photographs of the damage and include them with your claim.
You should be able to prove that the damage you are claiming is new and not normal wear and tear. Check the time limit within which you need to file your claim with the insurance company. If more than 25% of the roof surface requires repair, the entire roof must comply with the building code. Therefore, it is important to conduct a brittle test to figure out if you are entitled to a full roof replacement or only repairs would suffice. Hire a roofing contractor with the experience to give you an estimate of the repairs or better still contact a professional public adjuster.
A public adjuster is licensed with the State Department of Insurance and will assist you, for a small fee, from the beginning of your claim process until you receive the final settlement amount. Insurance adjusters carry out peremptory investigations and specify many requirements, which become reasons to deny roof claims if not met. A knowledgeable public adjuster helps you to document the loss, and discuss repairs needed with engineers and consultants. Your Public Adjuster will also represent you in meetings with the insurance company’s adjusters and aim to get you the maximum settlement possible.
Hiring the services of a public adjuster will relieve you of your anxiety as well as get you savings in terms of time and money. To know more about a smooth roof damage insurance claims process, contact us at Experienced Public Adjusters today!