As a homeowner, you may not fully understand your options to protect your damaged roof following a storm. You also might be at a loss regarding who to call for help in this dire situation. Should you first reach out to your insurance agent? Do you contact a general contractor? A handyman? A roofing company? A different professional? What steps must you take to protect your interests and prevent further damage to your home? What is essential when it comes to emergency roof repair?
In the immediate aftermath of a storm, before utilizing any other measure or contacting any other professional, prioritize touching base with a reputable and established local roofing contractor. Emergency roof repairs may need to be performed to reduce or eliminate further damage to your home or property. In fact, your insurance company will expect you, as the homeowner, to employ reasonable measures to safeguard your home responsibly.
Steps A Homeowner Should Take Following A Storm
Step 1: Assess The Damage From A Safe Distance
Once the storm has passed through your area and it is safe to exit your home, analyze the overall situation. Determine the extent of property damage from what you can eyeball in a protected location. Don’t take unnecessary risks. In other words, avoid climbing on the roof, especially if visible signs of roofing issues exist. Without moving loose debris around your property, document your observations by photographing and video recording evidence.
Step 2: Contact A Reputable, Local Roofing Contractor
Your roof is the first line of defense against the outside elements. Don’t take chances that the roof is “okay.” Involve a trustworthy roofing company rooted in your community. Avoid the out-of-towners, fly-by-nighters, or inexperienced newbies offering to take care of everything for a “great rate.” Request that the roofer perform a thorough inspection of your roof and provide a written report of findings, as well as a line item estimate detailing the next steps.
Step 3: Perform Emergency Roof Repair As A Stop Gap
Mitigation. Become familiar with this term. Once you have identified the best roofing company for your situation, involve them in mitigating further damage, by sealing holes and closing gaps in your roof. You cannot afford to have additional challenges arise because the roof repair, restoration, or replacement may not be wrapped up for many weeks or months, even if the roofer is otherwise available and ready to work. The insurer will have a say in the timeline.
Step 4: Review The Homeowners Insurance Policy
Dust off your homeowners insurance policy to determine coverage limits and other pertinent information, such as the deductible amount. The choice of what to do next boils down to whether you should file an insurance claim. In some cases, it may not be prudent to file a claim. In other instances, submitting a claim is the only viable option. Consult with your roofer to assess which decision makes the most sense for your situation.
Step 5: Call The Insurance Provider About The Situation
Whether you file a claim or not, contact your insurance company to notify them of what happened. Inform them that you are working with a licensed roofing contractor. Provide them with the contractor’s contact number and other applicable information in the event the insurer wishes to touch base with them. Keep the roofing contractor apprised of any contact you share with your insurer throughout the process so that they can assist you when and where needed.
Step 6: Arrange For Roofer To Meet With Insurance Adjuster
As you proceed with an insurance claim, ensure your roofing contractor has an opportunity to review what you prepare before submitting the claim. They can offer helpful guidance to maximize the likelihood of the claim being approved. Assuming the insurer dispatches an adjuster to review the situation at your home, notify your roofer immediately so that they can be present during the adjuster meeting and advocate for your best interests.
Step 7: Perform Roof Repair, Restoration, Or Replacement
Once the insurance claim has been approved, work closely with your roofing company to schedule and facilitate covered roofing projects to avoid confusion or misunderstanding. Your roofer wants to work closely with you to restore your roofing system as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. They also depend on the disbursements of insurance funds to receive payment for their work. So, they have the motivation to be prompt, diligent, and thorough.
Identifying A Trustworthy Roofing Contractor For Emergency Roof Repair
For residential homeowners in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee, no roofing company offers more responsive emergency roofing services and solutions than Quantum Roofing. Our priority is to bring you clarity in a moment of confusion. We will patiently but proactively assist you with identifying what issues need resolution in the short term. After that, we will lay out a long-range plan to fully restore your roof.
At Quantum Roofing, we employ a holistic approach to how we treat our valued customers. We prioritize transparent communication, excellent craftsmanship, unrivaled safety measures, and integrity. We do what we promise. To discover more about our exceptional roofing services, including new roof installation, roof repair, roof replacement, and processing insurance claims following a storm, contact Quantum Roofing today.