Tornado Damage: How Skilled Roofers Help Insurance Claims
Dealing with tornado damage can be a real headache—not just for your roof, but for the whole structure of your property. That’s where hiring a professional roofer really comes in handy. They not only help fix the damage but also guide you through those tricky insurance claims to get the repairs covered.
In this post, we’ll outline how a competent and experienced roofer can assist get your roof back to its best.
Professional Roof Inspection
Following a tornado, speed is of the essence. Your home’s structural integrity might be at risk, so it’s key to start the insurance claims process fast. Before you even file your insurance claim , the first step is to book an independent roof inspection.
A reputable roofer can deliver a rapid roof inspection of any damage to your roof. This independent assessment is vital for the timely and accurate submission of your insurance claim.
After you file an insurance claim, an adjuster will inspect your roof to assess the tornado damage. Adjusters often aim to offer the least coverage possible, making it essential to have an independent inspection beforehand. This inspection provides an unbiased estimate of your roof damage, allowing you to compare it with the adjuster’s report.
Even if your home has minor damage, remember most insurance companies have a one-year deadline for claims. So, starting this entire inspection process immediately after a tornado is crucial.
Detailed Documentation
An experienced roofing company will document issues with photos and descriptions, offering expert evaluations to support insurance claims. This independent assessment can improve claim success rate, increase your coverage payout and protect against biased insurance adjusters.
Accurate Estimates
After the inspection, the roof inspector will provide a detailed estimate for materials and labor costs. The estimate provides you with leverage in the insurance claim and bolsters negotiations during the claims process.
After the insurance adjuster inspects the damage, your insurer will give you a claim offer. It is important to remember that this is not a final offer, there are negotiations in this process. Many people don’t know that and just take the initial offer, that’s where an independent roofing contractor can help.
If your first offer is lacking or denied, the inspection and roofing estimate can support your case.
Complete Roof Replacement and Additional Testing
Filing an insurance claim after a devastating event like a tornado often means dealing with extensive damage. In these situations, going for a full roof replacement is usually the best way to keep your roof in top shape.
However, insurance adjusters may not always share this view. They might suggest a spot repair to minimize their costs, which can leave your roof vulnerable to water damage, roof leaks, and wind damage.
If your insurer proposes a spot repair, a reputable roofer will advocate for a complete replacement. They can conduct a brittle test to demonstrate the age and fragility of the asphalt shingles. If the shingles break or crack during this test, it’s a clear sign to the insurance company that trying to repair them might actually do more harm than just replacing everything.
Mitigation of Further Damage
When it comes to a tornado, prompt and professional roofing repairs are crucial to prevent further damage to your property. A reputable roofer will prioritize securing your roof to protect your home from future weather damage or water intrusion until the insurance claims process can be settled and a permanent solution to your roof can be found.
The other main benefit of having an independent roof is that they will keep your insurance adjuster from replacing “like with like”. That means replacing your asphalt shingles with the exact same or better quality of roofing material. The same is true with underlayment, venting and flashing which should all be addressed properly after a tornado or storm event.
In many states consumers are protected by “Matching Laws”, where the insurance companies have to replace any material with the same product and not a lower grade, cheaper roof. This means your roof will not only be fixed but secured in the long run.
Regardless of whether you live in a matching state, a skilled roofer should aim to enhance the structure of your roof after any incident. That typically means they may try to argue for you to get the best quality roofing materials, and many roofers get this “upgrade” from the insurance company because it will cost the insurance less in the long run and you win.
Code Upgrades
Much like matching practices, code upgrades are a critical part of the insurance claim process that is intentionally overlooked by insurance companies but a roofer can help you with. A code upgrade is an element of your roofing system that is required by the local or state building codes but your roof is missing regardless of the damage.
When you file an insurance claim, most insurance companies will try to state that because they were missing on the roof before the damage they are and “upgrade” and will not cover them in their initial offers.
Examples of a common upgrade is a water and ice shield in colder climates that project against snow and ice. If your roof was built or replaced by a poor roofer it may not be included but it should have been. The insurance company will initially deny this on the repair or roof replacement. Many consumers don’t know about code upgrades or local codes at all and they accept it without any knowledge.
A good roofer will catch all the building codes your roof is missing in the roof inspection and then call your insurance company out during the negotiation phase. Typically you’ll get this covered and then your roof is up to code and better protected in the long run.
Warranty and Follow-up
Reputable roofing contractors not only help negotiate with your insurance company but they will repair and replace your roof with the best quality practices. Along with a quality roof they will provide the best possible warranties on their work.
There is a product warranty on the roofing material itself or a strong workmanship, a quality warranty means if there is an issue you have someone to go to and wont have to deal with insurance for the foreseeable future and avoid the insurance claim process as much as possible. Choose contractors certified by material suppliers, like those with the Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor Certification.
Have Tornado Damage? What’s Next.
Choose a roofer experienced in storm damage repair and insurance claims after a tornado. Roof MD, serving Tennessee and Georgia, offers expertise in managing tornado claims and coordinating home restoration. Reach out to us for assistance and to schedule your free storm inspection today.