Fall here in the Minneapolis area sometimes brings thunderstorms, and you know what kind of winters Minnesota gets.  Often our severe weather means roof damage, which will involve making an insurance claim.

In this post we'll talk about claims; in Part 2 we have tips on filing a claim and what to expect afterward.  

In many standard homeowners’ insurance policies there are provisions that protect the homeowner from either weather-related or accidental roof damage.

writing-828911_640If you have discovered that your roof has been damaged and you are not quite sure on how to forward your claim to your insurance company, there are many very significant steps that you as the homeowner should follow in order to reinforce your claim as well as reducing any probability of your claim being rejected or disqualified.

First and foremost, you should always read your homeowners’ insurance policy thoroughly in order to ensure you know what type of roof damage is considered to be covered and what is not.  In many instances the details will vary from policy to policy, but generally you will only be protected against damage that is caused by an accidental, sudden, unforeseen, and/or weather-related incidents.  The most common examples include wind damage, storm or hail damage, and even fallen trees.  But even with those conditions, most insurance companies require that the claim be filed quickly after the event; otherwise it may be difficult to prove the cause of the damage.

If you find that you have a leak in your roof that was caused by neglect, the chances of your insurance policy covering it is slim to none.  This is due to the fact that as a homeowner you are bound by the terms and conditions of the policy to maintain the home and when needed take any preventative measures to stop minor issues from becoming major problems.  Standard wear and tear is also considered to be an unfounded foundation for a claim and will be rejected.

If you have a roof storm damage claim, Quarve Contracting can work directly with your insurance company so you don’t have to!  We've been handling storm damage repair in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area for over three decades, and we can help you through the process.