Homeowners purchase insurance policies with the expectation that the policy will pay damages for covered calamities. Some of these revolve around natural disasters and inclement weather. One of these is roof damage, which may be the result of storms, winds, hail or objects like falling trees.
Roof damage can lead to urgent questions about getting the damage repaired, insurance coverage and the entire claims process. Homeowners insurance may help to pay for these if the event was the result of a covered event.
What’s a covered event?
Coverage usually depends on the language within the policy and the cause of the damage. Damage from events like poor maintenance, normal wear and tear, earthquakes or flooding won’t be covered. It’s also possible that some wind or hail events won’t be covered.
What should homeowners do if roof damage is noted?
After a storm or other covered event occurs, checking the roof is one of the first things that must happen. Homeowners shouldn’t try to venture onto the roof because structural damage might be necessary. Photos and videos should be taken from safe areas that can help to document visible damage.
Notifying the insurance company as soon as the damage is found is critical. Claims become harder to support as time moves on from the event. It’s also important for homeowners to mitigate the damage to the roof. This can include covering the damaged portions with a tarp to prevent the damage from worsening.
Even with comprehensive documentation, the insurance company may still deny the claim. Homeowners should be prepared to appeal in these cases so they can receive the payment that enables them to repair or replace the roof as quickly as possible.