When your home has been hit by a hail storm, the last thing you want to deal with on top of managing the repair work is an insurance claim. They are a hassle. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. We’ve seen our fair share of hail damage insurance claim nightmares, which is why we provide an in house insurance department that our clients can leverage when storm damage requires repairs. They’ve helped us put together this guide for homeowners to reference when a hail damage insurance claim needs to be filed. Here’s everything you need to know.
Contractor Meet Adjuster
Once a storm hits, the first thing you’ll need to do is get in touch with both your insurance agency and a contractor that you trust. They’ll come out to your property to perform an inspection to identify any and all damage that may have occurred. An estimate will then be drawn up using a software that analyzing things like labor, materials, service charges, taxes, and anything else that may factor into the completion of the roofing project.
The estimate for a hail damage insurance claim will also include what is called Overhead and Profit, or O&P. Nothing is free, including storm damage repair. This line item accounts for what it takes for a contractor to take on the project in the first place.
There is no industry standard when filing a hail damage insurance claim, so that makes it all the more important to perform a detailed inspection and include everything in the formal estimate. As a homeowner, you want your damage repair and claims process to go as smoothly as possible. A contractor who’s familiar with the hail damage insurance claims process is a key part of that.
Approval and Construction
The estimate will be submitted to the insurance company for approval and the contractors you’ve hired will set to work repairing the damage. In some cases, additional damage that was hidden during the initial inspection becomes apparent. In this case, your roofer will request a work-in-progress supplement from the insurance company to cover the costs of additional supplies and labor. A WIP supplement can get a little hairy, so you’ll certainly want an experienced roofer at the helm when filing a hail damage insurance claim.
Completion
Once a project has been finalized, the next step to file a hail damage insurance claim includes submitting a Certificate of Completion to the insurance company. This absolutely cannot be done before the project is, in fact, complete because saying otherwise is fraudulent and could have severe penalties. Insurance companies will audit the project to confirm that all the work that was included in the estimate has been completed thoroughly. The Certificate of Completion notifies the insurance company to release any remaining funds that have been held back during the construction phase of the project.
Filing a Hail Damage Insurance Claim in Denver
The hail damage insurance claims process is complex and often requires many steps. Having an experienced contractor in your court can help smooth out some of the wrinkles that can occur during the process and make it easier for you, as the homeowner to navigate. At the end of the day, the more you know about your policy and what’s going on with your property, the better you’re able to advocate for yourself.
Michaels & Marc can also advocate for you when filing a hail damage insurance claim. If your property has been affected by a storm and you need a roof repair, contact us today to schedule a FREE estimate.
