What do you do when one of those hailstorms strikes your home in Denver? You need to act fast. The few hours and days after a damaging hailstorm can make a big difference in what happens next so let’s learn exactly what to do when hail hits your Denver roof.
Make Sure the Coast is Clear
Hail can wreck roofs, your siding, windows, and could create hazards around your property. Before you do a thorough hail check on your property cautiously walk around first to check for any potential threats. Threats after hailstorms include flimsy branches, flimsy roofing, broken glass, and downed power lines. Once you’ve confirmed the coast is clear you can move onto the next steps.
Ground / Window Inspection
It’s not recommended to climb your roof after a storm. Hailstorms can create hazardous surfaces and conditions which are better explored by an experienced roofing contractor. You can check for any visible damage from the ground or a window. When doing your quick visual inspection look for:
- Shingle tears, rips, and gouges
- Bald or missing shingles
- Large amounts of granules in gutter
- Damaged flashing around chimney, plumbing pipes, and other protrusions.
Call a Roofer
Even if you didn’t spot visible damage its recommended to have your roof checked by a local Denver roofing contractor. A local roofer can get right on top to look for the previously mentioned damage with an expert eye. If a roofer finds damage, they can recommend next steps whether that’s scheduling a small repair or putting in a claim with your insurance company for a full replacement.
Note: Always call a roofer to inspect damage before your insurance agent. If your insurance company inspects the roof its possible, they could charge a claim to your policy even if they don’t find any damage. Every claim charged to your policy will turn into higher monthly premiums.
Hiring a Roofer
If you don’t already have a dedicated roofer, you should hire one early in the process. Having a roofer before you call your insurance company can speed up the process and help you get in line before waiting times become too long. In many cases homeowners use the roofing contractor that inspected their roof to replace it.
Call Your Insurance Company
Only call your insurance company after a reputable roofer has confirmed your claim is likely to be covered by your insurance company.
Your insurance company will set up a field adjustment to gauge the damage and what they’re willing to pay for the claim. What your insurer pays depends on the scope of damage, the condition of the roof before hail, your policy, and other factors. After the field adjustment your carrier will draw up a claim detailing what’s covered and why.
Pro Tip: Try to schedule your roofer to come out the same time as your adjuster. Your agent’s goal is to give out the lowest amount of funds, but a roofer will talk with the adjuster to get the most money possible.
Schedule Your Roof Replacement
In a perfect world you should have your roof inspected, hire a roofer, and contact your insurance company within a week of your loss. If you’ve taken care of those items, you’re ready to get on the schedule. Keep open communication with both your roofer and insurance provider during this time so you’re ready for whatever comes next.
Finishing Up
A Denver roof replacement only averages one to three days depending on scope and difficulty of the job. After the last shingle is nailed your roofer will bill your insurance company to release final funds. Get those funds over to your roofing company, pay up on any due deductibles, and you’re finished.
Acting Fast After a Hailstorm
When you know what to do, you’ll be ready to start the insurance roof claims process the minute hail stops falling. Check for damage, contact and hire a roofer, call your insurance, and keep open communication during the process. Do all this quickly and you’ll have the easiest roof replacement and hail claim possible.
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