Part 2: Filing an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed insurance for roof damage.  In this part we'll give you some tips on filing that claim and what to expect afterward.  (Click here to read Part 1.) Tips That Should be Followed When Filing an Insurance Claim If you have decided that your roof damage is or may be a valid claim under the terms and conditions in your homeowner's insurance policy, here are a few tips that you should consider following:

• Have a licensed MN roofing contractor who is experienced in storm damage inspect your roof.  Most companies will do so at no charge.  Then get an estimate for repair.
• Work with a contractor who has experience with property insurance claims when obtaining replacement or repair estimates.
• Take pictures from all angles. Document any and all damage to your home; it is always a good idea to maintain up-to-date photos of your roof even if you think it has no damage.
• Keep copies of all replacement and/or repair estimates as well as bills or any other expenses that is related to the roof damage.
• Gather any and all repair estimates and/or receipts that are related to past repairs and/or maintenance that you have done; this will prove that you have been maintaining your roof as bound by the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.  This includes previous inspections.

What Is to Be Expected after Your Storm Damage Claim has been Filed Within some homeowners’ insurance policies there are exclusions and/or conditions that may limit the coverage depending on the age of the roof.  In these cases, roofs less than ten years of age usually meet the criteria for full compensation.  On the other hand, roofs that are more than ten years of age may only qualify for a partial reimbursement due to depreciation. An insurance company representative will handle your claim, so make sure you know who as well as how to contact that representative directly in order to receive updates and information regarding your claim.  It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the locally appropriate appeals procedure, just in case your claim does get rejected and you require recourse.  You also have the right to hire an independent adjuster to handle your claim for you.  You'll have to pay this adjuster a portion of your claim funds, but some homeowners prefer to have their claim handled by someone who isn't paid by their insurance company. The most important thing you can keep in mind is that if you have a storm damage claim, Quarve Contracting can work directly with your insurance company so you don’t have to!  We offer free roof inspections, and we've been doing storm damage repair in the Minneapolis metro area for over 30 years.