Flathead County is no stranger to hailstorms. Weather events such as hail can cause significant damage to a roof and plenty of homeowners can find themselves at a loss on what to do first in the aftermath of the storm. We’d like to offer a few tips to help homeowners know what to do both before and after a hailstorm comes to town.
Before the Storm
Sometimes the best route is avoiding a problem all together. With extreme weather events that can be hard to do, but with some good planning, not altogether impossible.
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Review Your Home Insurance Policy – Is Hail Damage Covered?
From our experience, it is possible that an insurance company will replace a roof with hail damage without many questions but this is not the common response. Chalk it up to a nice adjuster, or one who has somewhere they’d rather be! Typically your insurance company will send a claim adjuster out who should be trained in identifying hail damage — they are looking for the density of hits (number of hits per square) to determine if a repair or replacement is needed. As a general guideline, many insurance companies consider 8-10 impact points per 100 square feet (10×10 foot area) as indicative of significant damage and potentially grounds for total roof replacement. There are times when your policy does not cover hail damage if it is cosmetic damage only — particularly in reference to metal roofs. It is very important to clarify these items when comparing insurance policies, the last thing you’ll want to deal with after experiencing hail damage to your home is a fight with your insurance company.
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Impact Resistant Shingles?
If you are considering avoiding the problem all together, you may be considering impact resistant shingles. IR shingles are engineered to withstand hail, wind, sleet, and other extreme weather conditions. These impact resistant shingles have deeper embedded granules with greater adhesion vs standard asphalt. These shingles do carry a higher upfront cost due to the additional costs of manufacturing the specialty products but can offer significant savings in the long term. Some insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who install impact resistant roofing, especially those who live in hail zones. Check with your insurance provider to see if you are entitled to a discount for impact resistant shingles.
After the Storm
As we’ve mentioned above, there are typical steps an insurance company will take after weather related claims are started. The homeowner is expected to initiate any claim process which can be overwhelming. We can help!
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Document the Damage
Your first order of business after a hailstorm is to inspect the roof for damage. For most people it’s best to call a professional to get on the roof. We offer free roof inspections, hail storm or not, as do most roofing contractors in the area. Taking photos of the roof and marking impact spots with chalk will come in handy when filing a claim with your insurance company. Take note of the date and time of the hail storm. Most insurance companies have an expiration when it comes to filing hail roof damage, so don’t wait too long to start your claim. Another important reminder to know your insurance policy and what it will cover before choosing a policy that is right for you.
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Inspection
Most, if not all, hail damage is not going to be seen from the ground. If your insurance adjuster or local roofer is only doing a ground level inspection it’s time to call someone else. There are certain colors of shingles that make impact spots hard to spot if the sun is not directly shining on the fiberglass mat. A local roofing contractor should note the number of impacts per 100 square feet as noted above, this will help move your claim along faster. Pictures are always required. Look for dents on the shingles, vents, gutters, flashing, and other features around your roof. Insurance companies, and roofers with morals, know the difference between hail damage and a hammer head — so best to leave that strategy at the door. Once your inspection is complete get ready to start your insurance claim. Knowing ahead of time the extent of your damage can help rule out unnecessary claims as well as prepare you for the possible cost to repair or replace your roof.
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File Your Insurance Claim
Most insurance companies will have you reach out directly to your local agent to start your hail damage claim. They will send an insurance adjuster out to perform their own assessment of the damage. They may want the adjuster to get in contact with the roofing contractor you have been working with, your roofer should be more than happy to make that happen. Pictures and documents will be reviewed and your insurance company will make their determination on whether your roof is eligible to be replaced and what they will cover. If your roof is approved for replacement some companies write one big check for the total cost to replace your roof, while some hold back a small portion of the cost as incentive that the homeowner complete the replacement and not spend the money on say … a new boat LOL. Roofers know that when a homeowner is using insurance to get a new roof, the payment is sometimes out of their hands directly upon completion — this should be outlined in your contract to keep you protected from any immediate demands for payment.
Have Questions? We’d Love to Help!
If you’re worried about hail damage to your roof or how to handle the insurance process, reach out to the experts at Fly Roofing, LLC. We have experience inspecting hail damaged roofs and working with insurance companies to get the job done as smoothly as possible. If you’re interested in scheduling a roofing inspection, contact us today! 406-203-2482.