When the storm swoops in unexpectedly here in the Minneapolis area and creates further problems than you want, you have to consider the many things that are out there to help you put your life and your home back together. Understanding more about the homeowner's  insurance policy that you have and what it can cover is a great way to get started. It's important to learn more about what to expect when it comes to making your claim with the insurance company before you need it, so you might want to take some time to review this information now.

The Basic Steps in An Insurance Claim for MN Storm Damage

  1. Identify any of the problems through gathering a checklist of items. Make sure to take pictures of the problems that you find (and that a contractor or inspector finds) for documentation.
  2. Get estimates of how much the damaged items are going to cost to repair. Compare costs and materials and find out the best way to go. The main thing to think about is paying for quality repairs.
  3. The storm damage repair contractor you choose will then give you an estimate and paperwork for you to submit to the insurance company.
  4. Submit the claim form.
  5. The adjuster from the insurance company will most likely come out and assess the situation, while confirming the damages that were done to the home. The contractor can be present during this assessment to explain different things found that require attention due to the storm.  An experienced storm damage repair expert is used to dealing with insurance company adjusters, and it's often advisable to get their help at this stage, because you may not be aware of some things which are involved.
  6. You and your insurance company will come to an agreement, the claim gets submitted, and you will then get payment from the company. The payment may be partial at first, but should be enough to get the project started and cover the costs of the materials needed.
  7. The work will begin on your home. You are responsible to pay for any deductible on your coverage.
  8. Once the work is done, there may need to be a final inspection done through the insurance company to ensure that all of the damages have indeed been fixed.
  9. Your home should be repaired now and you will receive the rest of the amount in the mail, excluding your deductible and the first payment paid out already.
Insurance companies may try to deny the claim (or pro-rate it to the remaining life of the roof) if the roof was extremely old and was beyond repair in the first place.  Roofs should undergo inspections each year to ensure that they are up to code and able to withstand the Minneapolis climate.  (Some roofing warranties may even require annual inspections.)   Neglecting this kind of maintenance might mean you're in for a battle with your insurance company to get coverage. Contact Quarve to find out more about how we can help you with the assessment and storm damage repairs that are needed on your home's roof, siding, and more.  We are a professional and experienced MN exterior remodeling contractor, and we are able to repair and replace the necessary exterior items when a storm comes knocking.  We can also work with your insurance company on your behalf. Call us at 763.785.1472.  We serve the entire Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area.