Overall, the key to getting your homeowner’s insurance company to pay for your repairs is to get a professional inspection to verify that the damage came from hail. After this verification, you can file a claim that asks your insurance company to cover the repairs for hail damage. If it is part of your coverage plan, then a professional inspection can help your claim get approved. But what are the details and how do you proceed?
How Long Can You Wait Before Your Report Damage?
If you tend to procrastinate, then the time you have to report storm damage is in your favor. Most insurance companies give you up to twelve months to file a claim for any kind of hail damage.
However, all insurance policies vary and you should make a phone call to your sales rep for the exact details. First, check if you have hail coverage. If you have it, then find out exactly how long your insurance company gives you to file a claim until it’s been “too long” for you to qualify.
Note: though you may have around a year to file, don’t wait that long. A roof damaged by hail can lead to water damage that can lead to expensive problems. By resolving potential leaks and fissures early, you can keep costs low for future repairs that insurance may not cover due to neglect or “preexisting conditions” that aren’t considered the result of storm damage.
Official Claims Require a Professional Inspection
Insurance adjusters depend on professional roofing contractors to determine the cause of the damage before a claim could be approved. Not all hail damage is easily noticeable by untrained eyes. Small hail can remove the granules on asphalt shingles prematurely and cause indentations that novices wouldn’t detect as threats to your roof. However, a trained roofer can spot the signs of hail damage right away. The best time to check is right after a storm so that your inspector can make a clear connection between the type of damage they’re seeing and the recent storm.
What About My Premium? Will I Get Dropped?
Homeowners often worry about financial consequences after filing a legitimate claim to insurance companies. But homeowners insurance is different than car insurance. The rates are not based on the individual but on your community. If you’re one of the few people in your area who have filed a claim recently, chances are your rates won’t go up. However, if there was a widespread storm and many people have submitted a claim, your premium may go up anyway, whether you take action or not. So, in short, it’s better to file a claim than let damage be unattended!
In regards to being dropped, it’s illegal to be kicked off a plan due to damage from a natural disaster. If your homeowner’s insurance tries to drop you after a legitimate claim of hail damage that professional inspectors have verified, then file a complaint to your state’s insurance administration or commission.
Professional Roof Inspections for Hail Damage
At Noble Roofing, we’re experienced at working with claims. We know how to work around what’s covered, what’s not, and how we can get you to not spend too much out of pocket beyond your deductible. We’ll make sure that your claim is filled out correctly so that everything we identify related to hail damage is documented properly.
Hail Damage in Northern Virginia
An experienced roofing contractor from Noble Roofing can take a look at your roof and detect any damage from hail and enable you to make a timely claim to your insurance company. By detecting roofing damage early, you can save yourself a lot of money that can stem from water damage and structural issues.
After inspecting your roof, we will give you an honest estimate about repairs and give you our best advice on how to make a claim. Trust the repair and restoration of your roof to the certified and experienced professionals at Noble Roofing. Call (703) 404-0505 for a fast and professional response to hail damage.