What to do After Hail Damage to Roof
First, if a hail storm strikes, don't go out in the storm to try to protect your property. You could be injured. We have explained in detail what you can do after the hail damage to get your roof back to its premium look and overcome the roof damage.
Download RMIIA's "Hail Damage Fraud" brochure.
Assess the damage.
- Check trees, shrubs, and plants around your house. If they are stripped of their foliage, there is possible roof damage happened. You should also check for roof damage if patio covers, screens, or soft aluminum roof vents are dented.
- After roof inspection check your car for dents and broken or cracked glass.
Protect your property from further damage.
- If you find signs that hail has battered your property, take immediate steps to protect it from further damage so that it can't do more damage to your roof.
- Cover any broken windows and holes in your roof so that no water can enter and damage your home's interior.
- Cover any broken glass in your car to prevent damage to the interior from rain and remove glass from the car's interior to prevent cuts in upholstery and carpet.
File your claim
- After the roof inspection Call your agent or company as soon as you notice the damage. Practically all homeowner’s policies cover hail damage. Your car will be covered if you've purchased comprehensive coverage.
- If your agent or company requests you to do so, follow up your call with a written explanation of what happened.
- Save receipts for what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Select a restoration company.
- After an insurance adjuster has surveyed the hail damage to your property, select a reputable roofing company or auto body shop to make repairs.
- Allow only the insurance adjuster and roofer you have selected to get up on your roof. Each time someone walks on it, more damage can occur.
- Be wary of out-of-town roofers who move into an area and set up shop following a storm. While most of these firms are reputable, some have collected money from homeowners and moved on to the next storm site without paying suppliers or leaving work unfinished. This can leave homeowners holding the bag for those additional costs. It's a good idea to select a company with established credibility and local references. Word of mouth is still your best guide.
- Be sure roofers have workers' compensation and liability insurance. If they don't, you may be held liable if one of the workers is injured or if they damage a neighbor's property.
- Don't make final payment to the roofing company until your roof has been inspected and you are satisfied.
Use hail resistive roofing materials.
- When building a new home or replacing your roof consider using hail-resistive roofing products. The insurance industry has an Underwriters Laboratory standard ranking, the UL 2218 standard. The standard has four impact-level designations that will help you compare products. Roof coverings that show the most resistance earn a Class 4 rating; the least, a Class 1 rating.
- Impact-resistant Roofs: Smart Steps to Reduce Hailstorm Damage is a free, online learning experience that consists of four self-paced learning modules. It teaches homeowners and other consumers about the benefits of installing impact-resistant residential roofing products.
Final Words
GS Exterior Experts is a licensed and insured full exterior restoration company specializing in insurance claims and we work for the home owners to get the insurance company to pay for fair costs to bring your home back to the original state before the storm. We can upgrade your roof to an impact-resistant roof for roughly $600 more.
Call us at 720-358-ROOF for a free consultation.
