Your roof is a vital part of your home, protecting you and your family from weather elements such as rain, snow, and wind. However, extreme weather conditions, such as strong storms with straight-line winds, can cause significant damage to your roof. In particular, wind damage can cause shingles to lift or rip off the roof, leaving your home vulnerable to leaks and further damage.
Finding shingles in your yard or missing from your roof after a storm can be a distressing sight. However, it is essential to know what to do next to prevent further damage and costly repairs. As a trusted roofing company with over 40 years of experience, the team at TQR Roofing is here to guide you through the necessary steps to take when wind blows shingles off your roof.
In this blog post, we will provide you with transparent information on how to assess the damage and find a reputable roofing contractor to carry out the necessary repairs. By the end of this post, you will have a clear understanding of what to do in the event of wind damage to your roof, ensuring that your home remains protected and secure.
Once you notice missing shingles on your roof, the first step is to check your homeowners insurance policy to determine if wind damage is covered. Although most policies cover wind damage, it is essential to ensure that there are no exclusions.
If your policy covers wind damage, the next step is to review your policy to understand the type of coverage you have. Your policy will either be for Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV).
While both policies cover wind damage to a roof, the payouts differ significantly. ACV policies pay out the actual cash value of the damaged property, accounting for depreciation, while RCV policies pay the full cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property without factoring in depreciation.
Understanding the type of policy you have and the payout you can expect after filing a claim is crucial to making informed decisions when it comes to repairing or replacing damaged shingles on your roof.
If you have an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy, your insurance company will only cover the depreciated value of your roof. This means that you will receive a check for the current value of your roof at the time of the claim, taking into account its age and wear and tear.
After your claim is approved, the insurance company will issue a check for the roof's actual cash value, and you will have to pay the remaining cost out of pocket. It is important to note that the amount of depreciation and the check you will receive is determined by your insurance company, and it may not cover the full cost of repair or replacement.
While an ACV policy may result in a smaller payout, it is still better than having no coverage at all. It is essential to review your policy carefully and understand the coverage limitations to make an informed decision when filing a claim.
With a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy, your insurance company will provide a payout for a full roof replacement. They will send a check for the actual cost value of your roof and hold back the recoverable depreciation.
After you replace your roof, you will need to provide proof that the work was done according to the insurance claim. If everything checks out, the insurance company will send a second check that should cover most or all of the remaining cost. However, if you fail to replace your roof or do not follow the claim requirements, the insurance company will not send you the second check that covers the depreciated part of the claim.
It is important to note that supplementing may be required to get your entire roof replacement paid for by insurance. Your roofing contractor can help you with this, but it requires diligence on your part and may take time, depending on the amount of resistance from the insurance company. If you do not want to put in the work, an RCV policy will still cover a significant portion of your roof replacement.
Once you have decided to file an insurance claim for wind damage to your roof, the next step is to contact your insurance company. Provide all the necessary information to the representative, who will either send an adjuster to assess the damage or ask you to find a licensed roofing contractor for an inspection. Although the end result is the same, the procedures for each option may vary slightly.
In case your insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the damage, they will schedule an inspection to determine whether or not your claim is valid. If your claim is approved, they may ask you to get a roofing contractor to provide an estimate. It is advisable to have your trusted roofing contractor attend the adjuster meeting if possible. This helps to ensure that everyone involved is on the same page, and you have additional support from someone with expertise.
If your insurance company asks you to find a roofing contractor, it's essential to choose a reputable one with experience in dealing with insurance claims. Once you have found a roofing contractor, they will inspect your roof, document the damage with pictures, and send it to your insurance company.
It's important to note that the roofing contractor cannot approve your claim. The insurance adjuster and company have the final say on whether it's approved or not, but as long as there is sufficient evidence of wind damage, your claim should be approved without any issues. The insurance company will likely send an adjuster for a final inspection before approving the claim.
Although we just discussed this, it's crucial enough to merit its own section. It's vital to find a roofing contractor with insurance expertise. This ensures they understand the insurance claims process, how to read a claim, assist you in supplementing, and how to perform the work in compliance with your insurance provider.
You should also limit your search to roofing contractors in your local area. Following damaging winds, storm chasers will almost certainly be in the area. These out-of-state firms undercut local roofing company prices, complete substandard work, and move on to the next area.
They don't bother to ensure that your roof complies with local codes or is installed correctly. Once they leave your driveway, they won't come back if a problem arises. We're not implying that all storm chasers are the same, and there are some reputable companies out there. However, this happens far too often in the roofing industry, and it's not worth the risk.
Does your home have wind damage? If yes, then you can book an appointment with a TQR Roofing specialist for consultation. Our team of professionals will conduct a detailed assessment of your roof, both internal and external, and furnish you with a complete estimate.
When an unexpected disaster hits your home or business, you need an honest and dependable company available to help you 24/7.
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