It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare: the passing of an immense hailstorm. What’s worse, they face huge repair expenses. Fortunately, a roof hail damage insurance claim will save you from all the hailstorm-brought financial trouble.

However, making a claim requires following a few steps. Preliminary steps include reading the insurance terms and conditions once again.

Your trusted roofing contractor will handle most of the claims work. They will possess the insurance-maximizing information you’ll need. Adjusters will usually recommend their trusted contractors. Having a reputable contractor represent you is the best way to go about any insurance claim.

Call a Contractor For Inspections After a Storm

Hailstorms are dangerous. The sharp-edged ice with varying sizes travel at such a high velocity during hailstorms. In turn, they will cause grave damage to the roofing material upon landing.

Unmanaged hailstorm damage will cause leaks to form. In fact, this most likely happens to properties consistently facing hailstorms. Indeed, you can conduct minor repairs for small damages. However, it is wiser to call a contractor to provide accurate inspections after a storm.

Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claim Fund

Always have a rainy day fund in the form of roof hail damage insurance

Regardless whether you have or have not any insurance to protect your home, have it repaired. The cost of repairs is worth little in comparison to the devastation your roof faces after the next storm. However, if you do have insurance, then read on to know when you should make a roof hail damage insurance claim.

When Do You Need Hail Damage Repairs?

It is wise to call for professional services right after a strong hailstorm passes your property. In fact, call for contractors right after a single hailstorm.

In addition, if you find these visible damage signs, make sure to call your contractor. Their inspections allow them to help you make a successful roof hail damage insurance claim.

Missing or Damaged Shingles

If you spot major shingle tabs missing or cracked, it is clear you’ll need immediate roof repairs. Hailstorms will bring softball-sized sharp-edged ice. These will grate against the surface of the shingle. In turn, this can crack or dislodge them in the process.

In addition, inspect your shingle roof underlayment. This roofing material prevents leaks from the small gaps between your shingles. Indeed, this material is weaker than the shingle material. Hailstones will quickly penetrate them and cause leaks during rainstorms.

Hailstone-from-a-Hailstorm

Palm-sized hailstones can puncture through the strongest roofing material with enough force.

Internal Leaking

As mentioned, consistent hailstone damage will create holes in your underlayment. The unrepaired underlayment will leak water into your internal ceiling during a rainstorm. Call a contractor quickly once you find your internal ceiling having a yellowish or offish color in certain spots along your home.

While your internal ceiling may have its respective protective membrane, these are less durable and capable compared to specialized roofing underlayment. Manufacturers consider them as the last line of defense. However, your roof will still need proper professional fixes.

Bruised Roofing Material

Roofs made of metal, tar & gravel, modified bitumen, or single-ply roofing membranes will have bruises after a strong hailstorm. Aside from their sharp edges, hailstones carry immense weight. In addition, they travel at an extremely high velocity upon hitting your roof.

Bruises on your roof will have a tomato-like softness when touched. Minor seam patches are quick fixes you can do for small damages. Unfortunately, this is less likely because hailstorms deliver torrents of hailstones onto your roof.

Related: The Full Extent of Hail Damage on Your Roof

The Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claim Process

Hailstorm damages often lead to cases wherein homeowners need to replace the entire roof. Fortunately, some insurance providers cover the full roof replacement. However, they do so only if the property owner can prove hailstorm damage caused the grave roofing damage.

Property owners often cite visible damages on their roof hail damage insurance claim. Indeed, in most cases, insurance providers consider visible damages as proof. However, to maximize the policy, owners must additionally point out hidden damages. These include underlayment repairs and possible full-roofing replacement.

Here is the full process of making a roof hail damage insurance claim.

Conduct a Thorough Roofing Inspection

You can always trust trained and experienced eyes with hands often working on the same process and material. Therefore, the first step is to call a trusted roofing contractor. Most contractors provide free consultation and inspection.

The best ones conduct moisture and leak tests. This is in addition to recording the visible damage severity the hailstorm caused to your roof. However, professional roofers will not just provide you data. You can get a good estimate on the lifespan of your roof too. In fact, their estimates are great arguments to use against your insurance adjuster.

Tree-Damaging-The-Roof-of-a-Home

Strong winds brought on by hailstorms can cause nearby structures to collapse and damage the roof. Your insurance might cover this, too.

Allow Your Contractor to Represent You

You can provide the contact details of your insurance adjuster to your contractor. This allows them to represent you effectively against the insurance adjuster. However, if you feel like it, you can contact your adjuster and correspond with them directly.

Before doing so, have the contractor-filed inspection data on hand. Tell your adjuster about the damage extent a recent hailstorm caused your home. Adjusters will listen to your summary. As a matter of fact, they will only focus on the inspection data as the basis of your argument.

However, if you want to skip this part of the roof hail damage insurance claim, professional contractors can deal with your insurer for you.

Two Contractors Are Better Than One

Insurance adjusters usually bring their respective contractors. For insurance holders, this is troublesome. Without professional advice on the state of their roof, the adjuster’s contractor will not strive to maximize the insurance benefits.

However, a trusted contractor’s inspection allows two things. One, you get the full benefits of your insurance. The second one is you get two contractors working on inspections together. As a matter of fact, the two will compare data and complement each other’s reports.

Unfortunately, some insurance policies will not permit repairs from a third-party contractor. Make sure to read your terms and conditions if you wish to use your trusted contractor.

New-Metal-Roof

Gigantic, high-velocity hailstones will greatly damage even metal roofs.

Final Dates of Repairs and Replacements

Lastly, the insurer and the appointed contractor will set a repair date and time with you. All parties will sign the agreement. Most will indicate the extent of repairs, deadline for full roofing repair, and contractor payments.

Take note of these to make sure each party fulfills their responsibilities.

Conclusion

It is a simple but long process to file a roof hail damage insurance claim. Remember to use only your trusted contractor when conducting inspections. Insurers will strive to minimize repair costs. Therefore, your trusted roofing company ensures they remain objective. With accurate inspection data, you can maximize your roof insurance benefits.