Don’t Wait to File an Insurance Claim!
Most homeowners who have recent hail damage on their roofs can file an insurance claim and receive some compensation, yet far too many people fail to do this. Some of them don’t know they even have hail damage on their roofs, while others might not think it’s worth the time and money to have it fixed. However, the most significant reason why so many homeowners don’t file an insurance claim after a storm is that they simply wait too long to act. By the time they realize how severely their roofs have been damaged, it’s too late to receive any compensation from their insurance companies. They must pay for the repairs out of their own pockets, which can get very expensive very quickly.
How Long Can I Wait to File an Insurance Claim for My Damaged Roof After a Hailstorm?
That really depends on your insurance, but most companies allow you up to a year to file a claim. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should wait for several months before taking action. Your best bet is to file a claim as soon as you think your roof has sustained damage in a storm. The damage is still “fresh” at this time, which means it’s unlikely that anything else has caused any further damage. This will make it easier to prove that it was the hail that damaged your roof, and it will be much easier to repair the damage sooner rather than later.
Hail damage can take years to cause roof leaks and many homeowners put off getting an inspection or fixing damages. This is never a good idea. Here’s why:
- When hail hits an asphalt shingle it often knocks off the protective granule coating. Once the granules are gone, the protective layer underneath is exposed to the elements.
- The sun’s ultraviolet light will weaken the exposed spots and make them brittle. These exposed areas are very susceptible to leaks.
- Once leaks occur, the damage can be extensive due to potential damage from mold, electrical issues, ceiling and wall damage from water, and perhaps even personal property losses. The damage can also come very quickly and often is not initially detected.
Who is Responsible for the Costs of Additional Damage if I Decide to Wait?
While hail damage to your roof is covered by homeowner’s insurance policies, the additional damage caused by waiting to get repairs is not. Most insurance companies believe it is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their homes and take action to prevent leaks and subsequent damage. Therefore, if you wait until your roof is leaking to make a claim you could be footing the bill for all the major repairs.
Preventing additional damage to your home is one of the reasons why some (but not all) insurance companies have time limitations to file a claim. In fact, most policies state that claims should be filed “promptly” or “as soon as possible”. We also always recommend having a professional contractor assess the situation to prevent further damage and costs. Don’t forget, that you can always rely on Classic Construction for your roof damage and repair needs. Feel free to reach out to us today for any restorations that need to be done to your damaged roof caused by hail storms.
After reading all of the above you’re probably now wondering why to call a professional. The answer is simple, we have the know how to not only identify damage that you can’t easily see but we can also help you navigate the insurance companies red tape to get your business or home repaired faster. Classic Construction is also Master GAF Elite certified
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