Working with your insurance after storm damage

Right after the storm

Start with safety, and stay off the roof. Then record what happened while it is fresh: the date and time of the storm, and photos and video of the damage you can see from the ground and inside the house. Our guide to signs of hail and wind damage lists what to look for.

If water is getting in, take reasonable steps to prevent more damage: catch drips, move belongings, cover a broken window. Most policies expect homeowners to protect the property from further damage. Keep receipts for anything you buy, since they may be part of the claim.

Read your policy and contact your insurer

Before you call, find your policy and look for the parts that cover wind and hail, your deductible, and any time limit for reporting damage. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail. If anything is unclear, your agent or insurance company can explain it.

Then contact your insurer to report the damage and start a claim. Write down your claim number, the name of everyone you talk to and what they tell you. Keeping one folder, paper or digital, for the whole claim makes every later step easier.

Get a professional inspection

A roofing contractor can inspect the roof up close and document damage you cannot see from the ground. Omega Exteriors offers a free roof inspection that includes looking for storm damage, and its storm restoration work begins with a detailed inspection to identify the damaged areas. Knowing what the damage looks like before the adjuster arrives helps you ask the right questions.

Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door right after a storm and pushes you to sign that day. Take time to check out any company, read anything before you sign it, and make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.

The adjuster's visit

Your insurance company will usually send an adjuster to inspect the damage. The adjuster looks at the roof, siding, gutters, windows and anything else you reported, and writes up what the insurer will consider. It helps to have your photos ready and to point out everything you noticed, including damage inside the house.

Many homeowners ask their contractor to be there for the adjuster's inspection so both are looking at the same damage. In reviews on Omega Exteriors' reviews page, several homeowners describe an Omega project manager meeting the adjuster and helping with the claim paperwork. If you would like that, ask when you call.

Reading the estimate

After the inspection, the insurer sends an estimate or a statement of what it will pay for. Read it line by line and compare it with what you and your contractor found. Check that every damaged area is listed: each slope of the roof, the gutters, the siding on each side of the house, window screens and wraps, and any interior damage.

If something is missing or you disagree with the scope, ask your insurer how to request a review. Ask, too, how and when payments are made, and whether your mortgage company needs to be included on the check. Your deductible is the part you pay, as set out in your policy.

Getting the work done

Once the claim is approved, choose your materials and schedule the work. Keep the claim number handy, and keep copies of the contract, any change orders and the final invoice, since your insurer may ask for them. When the work is done, do a final walkthrough and file the paperwork with your home records.

Omega Exteriors provides roof storm damage restoration, siding storm damage restoration, gutter storm damage restoration and window storm damage restoration. The storm damage guide shows what it does for each trade. To schedule an inspection, call (651) 998-8500 or request a free estimate.