What to Do When Waiting on a Roof Insurance Claim
You submitted a roof insurance claim and a claims adjuster has inspected your home, now what? Is a check on the way? Will your insurance company call? Should you still pay your premium? When will your roof be fixed?
These are just a few of the questions we typically hear from homeowners waiting on a claim. We get it, there’s a lack of information about filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage and how to handle the claims process. For most homeowners, filing a roof insurance claim is not something you’ll do often.
While you’re waiting for your insurance claim to process, there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you stick to this list, nothing should catch you off guard after your claim is filed and your roof repairs are underway.
1. Don’t Stop Any Home Payments
Once you’ve filed a claim, continue paying your insurance premiums, utilities and mortgage. This may sound obvious, but some people assume their homeowners insurance will cover these costs while a claim is underway. While you continue to make your usual payments, It is also important to notify your mortgage lender and utility company about any roof damage that occurred and any insurance claims you filed.
2. Maintain Records of Home Expenses
Be sure to track all expenses related to your home. Your insurance company may reimburse you for expenses related to home exterior or roof damage. Tracking expenses is vital for severe damage and extensive roof repairs, but it’s a good idea to maintain accurate records no matter how minor the repairs may seem. Having an organized record of expenses will not only make the process smoother, but it can end up saving you money when it comes time to schedule home and roof repairs.
3. Don’t Stress About Homeowners Insurance Premiums
Your homeowners insurance premium won’t automatically increase just because you are filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage. While insurance companies track and maintain all claims in a database, premium spikes are hard to predict. Isolated property claims filed as an “act of God” or categorized as a “catastrophic event” do not affect your premium. However, if multiple claims are filed in a given area, rates may increase. Additionally, rate increases are sometimes dependent on claim frequency. This means a rate increase is more likely when a homeowner files multiple claims in a short period of time.
After filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage, your claim information is collected by C.L.U.E. (The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange). C.L.U.E. is a claims information report used by insurance companies for underwriting and rating purposes. C.L.U.E. reports on:
- Money paid out for a claim
- Claims filed
- Claims formally denied
It’s good to be aware of your C.L.U.E. report and what it means, but there are no guarantees when it comes to premiums and rates.
If you’re curious, you can access your CLUE report.
4. Schedule a Property Evaluation & Drone Roof Inspection
The only person required to look at your home is a claims adjuster from your insurance company, but it is wise to schedule at least one more property evaluation. A roof inspection from a roofing contractor is another way to get an assessment of the damage that occurred, the severity of the damage and estimated cost for roof repairs. If you know which roofing contractor you’re planning to hire to repair your roof, it is best to ask their team to perform the inspection.
When the Superstorm Restoration Des Moines roofing team performs a property evaluation, we use a drone to capture images of areas that are hard to see from typical vantage points. After the drone roof inspection produces images of your property, we analyze the images and process the data. We provide these images to customers to share with their insurance company, leading to a more accurate payout from their roof insurance claim.
We generally recommend getting a roof inspection prior to filing a claim, but you may choose to schedule an inspection while waiting on your claim.
5. Choose the Best Roofing Contractor
If you haven’t already, it’s time to choose a reputable roofing contractor to complete your roof repairs or replacement once your claim is approved. Finding local roofing contractors with great reviews is always a good idea. If you know someone who has recently hired a local roofing company to complete roof repairs, you can ask for a recommendation.
Industry-recognized awards are also a good indication of a contractor’s quality. When you’re looking for a roofing contractor, look for a Platinum Preferred roofing contractor. This distinction means that a contractor has met many important requirements, including an installation workmanship inspection. Superstorm Restoration is one of only nine Platinum Preferred roofing contractors within 100 miles of Des Moines.
Finally, look for a local roofing contractor that uses high quality building materials. You don’t want to work with a roofing company that will cut corners by using cheap materials on your roof repairs. Investing in better materials is one of the major costs of a new roof, but it will save you money in the long run because your roof will last longer and you will be less likely to encounter leaks or other issues down the road. Also, many premium products include better and more extensive warranties.
Find a Local Des Moines Roofing Contractor
If you are looking for a local roofing company to do roof repairs on your home, contact Superstorm Restoration. Our Des Moines roofing contractors will come to your home for a free property evaluation and drone roof inspection.