How to Identify Hail Damage and File an Insurance Claim
October 15, 2018
Posted by Northface Construction - Owner & Founder
A rough storm is on the radar and it’s time to batten down the hatches. The weather reports suggest the possibility of hail, and so you make sure your car is in the garage. However, one thing you can’t protect is your roof from hail damage. And don’t worry, you’re not alone: millions of people experience hail damage each year, with Minnesota often being in the top 10 affected states.
So, when the storm settles, it’s time to see the damage to your home. But, how exactly do you tell the magnitude of the damage that the hail left behind? In this post, we’ll outline how to identify hail damage, as well as how to file an insurance claim for your home if there is any.
At Northface Construction, we offer free damage inspection to homes, so if you aren’t comfortable with going up on your roof, please give us a call and we’ll take a look for you at no cost. It’s part of our commitment to excellent customer service and creating lasting relationships with our clients.
How to Check for Metal Damage on Your Roof
If you have any metal features on your roof, that should be your first area to look because any damage done to metal will be easier to locate. You’ll probably be able to see any larger dents from your yard, but if you want to make sure, carefully go up on your roof to inspect. Any dents you see will help you identify how large the hail was as well, which will come in handy later on.
When it comes to damage to your shingles, you’re going to have to get up your roof and check thoroughly before deciding whether or not you have significant damage. But getting up on the roof can bring with it many risks, so most shingle damage you should be able to see from the ground, and can be enough to get the ball rolling. The tell-tale signs of hail damage to your shingles are cracking, bruising, or missing pieces of your roof.
Now that you’ve identified the damage, it’s time to file an insurance claim to help cover the expenses to repair your roof.
First, locate your homeowner’s insurance policy and write down your policy number and your deductible. Next, take photos or videos of the damage and write down the time of the storm and the size of the hail (if you know). Once you have everything organized, call your insurance claim number and give them as much information as they need for their own records. Your insurer will then be given you a claim number.
Why You Need a Claims Adjuster Roof Inspection
Once you file your claim, an adjuster will schedule and appointment to come and look at your home. In advance, email any of your findings (photos, videos, and notes) to them ahead of time. If you had a roofing professional look at your house, see if they are available to meet with the adjuster. This will give more credibility and will make it more likely for your claim to be approved.
The roof inspection will consist of the adjuster taking photos and making notes of any dents or cracks that they notice. They may also use chalk to outline the number of impacts caused by hail in a given area to help them with concluding the total damage throughout the roof. The claims adjuster will then create a report with their findings and estimate for repairs or roof replacement. Your insurance company will then review the report and decide on the appropriate course of action.
Don’t Go It Alone—Get Help from the Experts!
Anytime your home is hit by a storm and is damaged, we highly recommend reaching out to a professional home repair service to assist you in the process of making your home good as new.
Hail damage can be highly destructive and at Northface Construction, we believe in urgency and efficiency when it comes to repairing your home. We’ll do the work that needs to be done and we’ll do it well. Whether the damage is from wind, hail, tornados or anything in between, we will take care of you the way you deserve. That’s our guarantee.
When bad weather hits your home, you have no need to look any further. Northface Construction is your resource for storm damage remediation. If you’re facing hail damage to your roof, contact us today!
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