Talk to a Roofing Expert
Directly After The Storm
I don’t have a leak and my roof looks fine. Could there be enough storm damage to file a claim?
Yes. Hail does not normally cause a roof to leak and it is hard to see the storm damage by looking at your roof from the ground. Hail does not destroy your roof, it just takes away years of useful life. You are paying monthly insurance premiums to be protected from damage and destruction. Hail typically causes damage. Tornadoes typically cause destruction. Check your insurance policy for coverage.
Someone said my roof is too old to file a claim for damage. How old is too old?
It does not matter how old your roof is. Actually, hail will damage an older roof more easily than it will a newer roof.
How bad does the storm damage have to be to file a claim?
Simply put, the damaged property does not have to get a hole in it to be damaged. Shingles can be dented. Metal can be dented. Window screens will probably be torn. Glass can be cracked and siding can be scraped or dented. Fences may have the stain knocked off and the insurance company will pay to re-stain the fence.
Starting the Claim Process
Who should I call first?
After every storm with damaging wind or hail it is best to call Arrington Roofing first for a FREE inspection. We will tell you if you have damage and if it is enough to start a claim. But, if the adjuster comes out first it is not a problem. We can confirm or refute his finding later in the process.
Why should I call you first?
We are certified by a leading engineering company to identify storm damage. By providing technical assistance during the damage assessment process we help the insurance adjusters with our expertise and knowledge of the construction process. As the ones who will be doing the work to restore your property, we know every detail needed to properly perform your restoration work.
When should I hire my contractor?
For a storm claim you need to hire your contractor before you meet with the insurance adjuster. This is not like a home improvement project. The insurance company is going to try to dictate what you get, how you get it and what they will pay for it. But, this is your property. Why not get it done by the contractor you think will do YOU the best job. Your cost is your deductible whether the work is done by a fly- by- night or a long time professional. The key is to get the scope of work correct up front and to have someone who will go to bat for you to get you everything you have been paying your monthly premiums for, year after year.
When I call my insurance company, what should I say?
Say, “I had my contractor inspect my property and they said I have enough damage to file a claim. My policy number is ____. When can I expect a call from your adjuster and how can I get in touch with someone to check on his status?” Your agent’s office staff may have you call a catastrophe office to start the claim process. That is typical for a large hail event.
How should I prepare for the adjuster meeting?
Make a list of everything you see that looks dented or scraped or broken from the hail impacts. Include items such as outdoor furniture, lighting, yard art, and landscaping on your list. If the hail or wind damaged it, claim it. Also, check ceilings for stains and flooring for water damage.
Who needs to meet with the adjuster?
It is best if you and an Arrington Roofing specialist both meet the insurance adjuster. You will have things on your list that we do not want to miss. The Arrington Roofing specialist will make sure the adjuster gets all the technical aspects of the damage correct. Some parts of the claim may involve building codes and construction industry requirements that the adjuster may not be aware of.
The Payment Process
How does the payment process work?
You will typically receive your first check in the mail for a portion of the total claim amount. This first check is typically calculated by taking the total claim amount, minus your deductable, minus a depreciation amount based on the age of the damaged products. Once all the work is completed, Arrington Roofing will final invoice the insurance company. You will then receive your second check. If supplemental items were found to be damaged after the initial scope, there may be a third check.
What is my deductible?
Most policies now have two deductibles. One is for hail and wind damage to your roof and the second is for all other perils. MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS DETAIL. Check the declaration page on your policy to see what your deductibles are. If the deductible is a percentage, it typically means a percentage of the total value of your property. For example: a $200,000 insured property value with a 1% deductible means you will always pay the first $2,000 of every claim.
What is depreciation?
This is the amount of the product that you have already used. For example: a 20 year warranted roof shingle that is 10 years old has been used for 50% of its life. Therefore, your first check for the insurance claim would be reduced 50%. Most people have replacement cost value (RCV) policies, which means you will still receive the depreciation amount once the work has been completed. If you have an actual cash value (ACV) policy, the depreciation amount will not be recovered by you. You will have to pay for the value you have already used in regards to that product. Check the declaration page on your policy to see what type of policy you bought.
Who will the checks be made out to?
If you have a mortgage the check may be payable to you and the mortgage company. Call your mortgage company to find out their procedures. If you own the property outright the checks will typically be made out to you.
How do I pay my contractor?
This depends on you and your contractor’s agreement. You can endorse the insurance checks over to your contractor or deposit the checks into your account and pay your contractor from your own bank account. At Arrington Roofing we accept first checks as deposits for materials and final payment upon your receipt of funds from the insurance company and the mortgage company if a mortgage company is involved. These terms are general and may be altered depending on each individual case.
What if you find additional damage while replacing the roof?
During the construction process, additional damage may be discovered by our staff and a supplemental request will be made to the insurance company. This is typical and is paid with proper documentation. If you notice a new stain or that something was damaged that was not in the initial scope of work, don’t hesitate to let us know so we can include it in the work.
What if I have storm damage but do not file a claim?
You typically have one year from the date of the storm to file a claim and get the work done. If you do not make this deadline you may lose your right to make a claim. We see many property owners pay for storm-damaged roofs with their own money when an inspector finds damage during a real estate sale. You are paying for coverage. Why not use it?
What if I do file a claim? Will my rates go up?
Insurance companies typically raise rates based on hail damage by geographical areas. Whether you file a clime or not, your rates will go up or down based on the risk of loss in your area. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is one of, if not the, highest risk areas for hail in the United States. What if I decide to keep the check and not do the work? If you keep the initial payment and not perform the repair work you will not receive the remaining portion of the claim amount and your damaged property is now uninsured. Since the insurance company has paid for the damage you are now responsible to pay for the repairs at your own expense. You will not be paid again if another storm hits or the damage is identified during the sale of your property and the buyer or new insurer or mortgage company requires repairs be made prior to insuring or loaning money on the property. You typically have one year to get the repair work completed and still receive the final payment. Some insurance companies will extend that time for one additional year if you request the extension before their deadline to do so.
What if my insurance company tells me I have to use their preferred contractor? Do I have to use them?
The property owner has the right to choose the restoration contractor for their property. Nobody can force you to use their contractor.
What if I want to change the style, color or quality of my roof or any other part of my property?
As long as you restore your property to your mortgage company requirements or to local codes and ordinances, you can pick whatever you want.
Options, Upgrades & Warranties
When will I receive my material warranty and labor warranties?
At Arrington Roofing, all warranties and final invoices will be sent to you upon payment in full.
Are there products that can save me money on my insurance premiums?
Yes! Hail/impact resistant shingles. Ask us about the products we can put on your roof that can save you up to 30% on your monthly premiums starting as soon as the products are installed.
Can I change to another type of roof altogether?
Yes! If you have asphalt shingles, you might want to consider metal, wood, tile, slate or synthetic tiles to meet your needs and to bring a new look to your property. There will be weight considerations and possibly neighborhood restrictions but the options are many. There are also many new and interesting styles and colors of asphalt shingles to choose from.
Can you install products on my roof that could reduce my energy bills?
Yes! A proper attic ventilation system. Most properties with steep pitched roofs and attics are under ventilated. We are experts at attic ventilation. Not only will proper attic ventilation make you attic cooler and keep your A/C from running as much but it is required for your roof shingle warranty to be
Do material warranties require roof maintenance?
Roof maintenance is a very important part in the life of your roof. Some warranties require roof maintenance to keep the warranty valid. Annual or semi-annual roof maintenance will increase the life of you roof and has historically shown long term cost savings.
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