How do I know if I have hail or wind damage?
Nasty storms wreak havoc with roofs. More than likely, your house is not the only one effect. Most insurance companies inspect a 10 x 10 square foot area on two sides of the roof and look for between 4 and 16 hits by hail (varies by insurance company), broken seals and missing shingles. If this damage is found the insurance company considers the roof totaled and will pay for full replacement.
What should I do if I suspect hail or wind damage?
Immediately call a professional to have your roof inspected. Vanguard offers free inspections and will meet your insurance adjuster at the time of their inspection. Ultimately, your insurance company will have final approval. However, having the professionals at Vanguard who are specially trained to deal with all insurance companies will ultimately speed up the process and help eliminate any possible further damage caused by potential leaks.
Does timing matter?
YES! Repair leaks right away to keep damage from escalating. As the homeowner, you are required to make reasonable temporary repairs. Most insurance companies allow about a year to file a claim and will reimburse any expenses for temporary repairs.
If I can’t see the damage, why should I have the roof inspected?
What you see on your roof right now is not the extent of the damage – seals are broken, and after a severe storm, shingles will be much easier to lift in future windstorms. Once the seal is broken around the shingle, it doesn’t seal back correctly because of sediment. Then water gets drawn underneath the shingles and the felt underlayment is not made to shield that much water. Hail storms loosen granules, (which protect from the sun), so the shingles can’t absorb heat well. The more severe storms cause visible damage such as torn, broken and missing shingles.
What will my homeowners insurance cover?
Actual coverage varies from policy to policy, but most companies will replace the WHOLE roof if 25% is damaged by wind or hail. It doesn’t matter how old your roof is whether it is 1 year old or 25 years old; insurance companies don’t depreciate roofs. For roofs, most all insurance companies offer replacement cost value, which pays to replace an old roof with a similar new product.
What if the amount of damage is borderline?
Your insurance company has the final call on whether or not the roof needs to be replaced. We don’t want to waste your time or ours, so our evaluation will always be in your best interest. Since the inspection from Vanguard is free, you have nothing to lose.
Will the insurance company raise my rates if I file a claim?
Don’t be scared of your insurance company. The premiums you pay are for scenarios exactly like the circumstances brought on by severe weather. Most likely rates are going to go up regardless of whether or not you personally file a claim. Rates are typically created by zip code, so if a thunderstorm, tornado, hurricane, hail storm or windstorm blew through your neighborhood, then it is considered an “Act of God” (not liability).
What should a homeowner look for in a roofing company?
Licensed and certified, but beyond that you want a company that has been in the area for a long time – a trusted name like Vanguard. Most of our business comes from referrals from happy customers.