It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare… a storm blows in and, all of a sudden, there’s a tree on your roof.
You’re just sitting in your La-Z-Boy, and then BOOM, branches everywhere. What do you do? Where do you start? Don’t panic. We’ve compiled a list of things to do and thrown in some “insider tips” from our years of experience in the roofing industry.
Here we go:
First things first… check your loved ones. Make sure everyone that is in the house is safe. Your roof’s main function is to protect your family. When your roof has been compromised, it can be a dangerous situation for those you care about most.
Call your insurance provider to file a claim. Most of the time, an adjuster will be sent to your home to assess the damage.
(Insider Tip #1: Some insurance companies may suggest a roofing contractor to you. Know your rights. Just because your insurance company wants you to use a certain company doesn’t mean you have to do so. *If your home is uninsured, please be aware that many roofing companies, including ours, offer financing options.)
Know the “lingo”. Your insurance company will give you a large packet of documents that can seem overwhelming and confusing. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important terms:
Replacement cost - The total amount the insurance company is offering to repair your home
Deductible- the specified amount of money that you, the homeowner, must pay before an insurance company will pay a claim
Actual cash value - the amount equal to the replacement cost minus depreciation of a damaged property at the time of the loss.
Recoverable Depreciation - Recoverable Depreciation is the gap between replacement cost and Actual Cash Value (ACV). This gap is recovered by providing proof that shows the repair or replacement is complete or contracted (your roofing contractor should be able to submit the final invoice to your insurance company so you can recover your depreciation)
Call a tree removal service to remove the tree from your roof
(Insider Tip #2: Its important to have any debris removed from the area that needs to be inspected by the insurance adjuster and the roofing professional so that the entirety of the damage can be assessed)
Call a roofing professional to give you a quote. Choose a local, long-standing, reputable company. After a storm, many outside companies from other areas (sometimes referred to as “storm chasers”) come in to capitalize on the storm. Their prices are often attractive, but they disappear after the job is complete and aren’t around to uphold their warranties should any problems arise.
(Insider Tip #3: A good roofing contractor will physically measure the roof, rather than rely on software or the measurements provided by your insurance company. We have assisted with thousands of insurance claims, and in an estimated 30% of those claims, the insurance company was incorrect in their measurements, potentially costing the customer thousands of dollars. A physical measurement will ensure that you are truly getting full value for your roof replacement from your insurance company.)
Sometimes disasters occur, but it's always helpful to know the steps to take if it happens to you. Learn more about Total Home Exteriors and our roofing services at www.totalhomexteriors.com.
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