At American Roofing USA, we know that since 2004, Castle Rock, Colorado has had. “67 hail reports within 10 miles of the city center. The largest report of hail near Castle Rock was 2.00 inches about 2 years ago.” A two-inch hailstone can cause significant damage, which means, experiencing roof damage as a result of a hailstorm is possible in the Castle Rock area.
Many factors are considered when an insurance claim is under review, including hailstorm repair:
-age of roof
-extent of damage
-geographical location of your home
-mold or mildew
Be Prepared
In the event your roof has suffered from a bad hailstorm, the first thing to do is to remain safe until the danger has passed. No roof or house or car is worth risking your safety, so do not do anything that would put yourself in danger, including taking pictures of the damage before, during and after a hailstorm, getting on the roof to assess the damage, etc.
Next Steps:
The next steps to filing your claim and getting your roof repairs completed, include:
Know your policy – before something happens, make sure you know what your insurance requirements are for all of your coverage, including hailstorm damage. This allows you to be proactive, and protective, about your individual coverage and proper repair needs.
Contact your insurance company – only your insurance company can approve the payment of damages. Sometimes, following a hailstorm, contractors or salespeople will stop by saying they are taking care of other people’s roofing needs in the neighborhood, following a hailstorm, and ask if you would like for them to assess yours? These are sometimes scams and should be avoided. This is the time to stick with your original plan and go to your original documents of insurance coverage.
Obtain an active worker’s compensation and/or general liability certificate – Your contractor must have an active worker’s comp or general liability certificate. This must be done before anyone gets on your roof. Without this, if anyone is injured, you are responsible.
Obtain two detailed bids — this is an insurance requirement for the work that needs to be done. Only work with state-licensed contractors, in the state where the damage occurred. Within the bid, obtain:
-the
-labor charges
-work specifications
-payment procedures
-building permits
-warranty details
Make sure the contractor is certified – every product outlines who is certified to work on your roof with the materials recommended.
Obtain contractor referrals – to verify a contractor’s reputation, obtain referrals for previous roof work performed. Contact the Better Business Bureau for any complaints. Never sign anything – this means anything a contractor gives you stating he will act as your representative to file a claim or receive a payment, or that the contractor will install your new roof based on whatever the insurance company will pay. Your bids are supposed to be separate from the insurance company and separate from other companies willing to bid on the work.
Meet with the insurance adjuster — go over all of your documentation, bids and a complete examination of the roof. In turn, the adjuster will give you a report detailing all of their expenditures for your claim amount.
Go over all adjuster’s findings with your contractor, to make sure everyone is on the same page. There should be no surprises from either side of the equation. Everything about your claim should be known upfront. Never give any money upfront – a reputable contractor has sufficient funds to cover the cost of repairs until the invoice is paid.
At American Roofing USA, we have helped countless customers work through their roofing issues, including hail damage, and have helped them receive the help they need. Contact American Roofing USA today, and let us help you repair your roof and receive the insurance reimbursement you are entitled to.