Filing a claim with your insurer isn’t as simple as it seems. There are a few things you should know before filing a storm damage claim.
It’s Important to Document Signs of Storm Damage
As soon as the weather clears up, take photos of storm damage. You’ll need to submit documentation of storm damage, along with the necessary documents, when you file a storm damage claim. Keep in mind that it’s easy to miss certain signs of storm damage, which is why it’s best to let a professional contractor handle roof inspections.
Here’s a tip: keep important documents like your insurance policy and roof maintenance records in a roofing file. Keeping them all in one place will save you the trouble of having to look for them when you need to file an insurance claim.
Infrequent Roof Maintenance Can Void Your Insurance Policy
The maintenance records are an important document because infrequent roofing maintenance can void your insurance policy. Remember: insurance policies only cover storm damage, not damage stemming from neglect on the homeowner’s part.
Insurance Policies Don’t Usually Cover Flood Damage
You’ll need to purchase a separate policy for flood damage. If you took out a mortgage to purchase a home in a federal flood zone, you likely had to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which insures your house for up to $250,000 and your belongings for up to $100,000.
There’s a Time Limit on Filing Claims
File a claim with your insurer as soon as you finish gathering the necessary documents. You might have as little as 14 days to file a claim after the storm.
Having trouble filing an insurance claim? It’d be helpful to consult a roofing contractor.
A1 Quality Roofing, Inc., has been providing professional roofing services to local residents since 1991. To request a quote, call us at (951) 877-4406, or fill out this form.