Three Home Exterior Tips after a Heavy Storm

If you think there may be damage to your roof after a storm, you may consider filing a claim with your homeowners’ insurance company. Here are three tips on how and when to do so:

1. Review your insurance policy so you know what’s covered and what’s not before you file a claim. Your roof is included in your homeowners’ insurance under your dwelling coverage, which typically covers damages brought on by heavy winds, fire, hail, or other severe weather events. But there’s no point in filing a claim if the damages are small and would cost less to repair than your deductible, or if your insurance coverage doesn’t include hail or wind damage. 

2. Assess the extent of damage. Let’s say a tree limb has pierced your roof, causing large water bubbles to form on the ceiling of your son’s bedroom as the storm carries on. In this case, you would not only need the roof to be repaired, but also the drywall to be patched and painted. You should assess and document the extent of damage for your entire home, not just your roof, before you contact your insurer to start a claim.

3. Check whether your coverage includes the replacement cost or actual cash value of the roof. Replacement cost coverage would pay you the full amount (minus your deductible) to get a new roof if storm damage is at fault. If you have actual cash value coverage, you’d be reimbursed for the value of the damaged roof minus its depreciation at the time of the damage. For example, if you have an asphalt shingle roof that’s 20 years old and sustains wind damage, it already is nearing the end of its life, so you may not be reimbursed for the full cost of replacing your roof. 

Need a quote for storm-related roof repair or replacement? Schedule a complimentary storm damage assessment with Retex – call us today at 804-258-6300.