What You Should Know About Storm Damage Roof Insurance

If your roof is damaged in a storm, you should have the proper coverage. However, some policies provide only the actual cash value, and others offer replacement cost value. If you have a storm damage insurance plan, you have the right to choose a contractor. However, you should be aware that some plans do not cover the cost of hiring a contractor.

Homeowner’s insurance

If your home is damaged by storms, you can often recover the cost of your repair from your homeowners insurance policy. While most homeowners insurance policies cover storm damage, some exclude certain perils. Some have deductibles that are higher than others, and you can often add supplemental coverage as an endorsement to your policy.

Your homeowner’s insurance policy might cover the cost of roof repair after storms, but it won’t cover the cost if you neglected your roof. Then, it may be hard to get full reimbursement for your repairs. In addition, homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by earthquakes or floods. If you live in a high-risk area, you may want to consider purchasing separate flood and earthquake insurance.

Hail damage

When a hailstorm strikes, you should contact your homeowner’s insurance company to file a claim. The insurance adjuster will come out to assess the damage and assign a case number to your claim. Be sure to gather all of the necessary information and documentation before submitting your claim. Hailstorms do not typically raise home insurance rates, but they can affect the value of your roof.

To properly document the extent of hail damage to your roof, take photographs of the area. This includes the roof and any siding, window casings, or exposed metal surfaces. Even minor hail damage can be a warning sign that your roof might need to be repaired or replaced. Most hailstorms are accompanied by high winds. Since hail is primarily a vertical object, it is almost as likely to strike the side of a building as it is the top. Hail damage can also damage air conditioners.

Wood shingles

If you have wood shingles, you should consider getting storm damage roof insurance. While this type of roofing is considered more vulnerable to hail damage than other types, it still stands up well to the damage. Small hailstones will not cause significant damage, but if a large hailstone strikes, it may cause the wood to split. A roof inspector can help you determine whether your wood shake shingles are damaged and should be replaced.

Wood shake shingles are red on the inside and gray on the outside. This gray color is caused by natural weathering and oxidation of the wood. When wood shake shingles are split, the color of the interior will show through. This will change over time to a gray color. If you want to get storm damage roof insurance for wood shingles, be sure to check the color of the inside before deciding to purchase coverage.

Water damage

Water damage roof insurance can be helpful in a variety of situations. Although the average water damage claim is approximately $7,000, many homeowners are able to get more than that. The payout amount from an insurance policy depends on several factors, including the amount of damage caused, the deductible limits and the amount of coverage available on your policy. The age and condition of your home also affect how much the insurance company will pay out. If you are unsure how much your policy will pay, speak with an agent.

Taking pictures of any damage to your roof is important for the insurance company. Photos show evidence of the damage, as well as the source of the damage. These should be submitted with the insurance claim.

Normal wear and tear

While storm damage roof insurance is beneficial for replacing your roof, it does have certain conditions that must be met to receive full reimbursement. First, the damage must be caused by an act of nature or an unexpected accident. Your roof insurance policy does not cover normal wear and tear, and if your roof is more than 20 years old, it will not qualify for reimbursement. Furthermore, many insurance companies classify such damage under the general maintenance responsibility of the property owner. Thankfully, there are some ways to protect your roof from such pitfalls.

While it is true that many types of damage are normal over time, it is vital to understand the difference between damage and wear and tear. Wear and tear is the natural result of constant exposure to changing weather conditions and will eventually weaken a roof over time. Your insurance will not cover repairs for normal wear and tear, so it is important to monitor for these signs of deterioration.