After a storm
After a storm: what to do first, and what I do
Wind and hail hit southwestern Indiana most springs and summers. Here is the order I would do things in.
- 01
Step 1: Stay off the roof
Wet shingles and damaged decking are dangerous. Look from the ground.
- 02
Step 2: Take photos from the ground
Gutters, vents, the yard and any shingles that came down. Photos from before the adjuster comes are useful.
- 03
Step 3: Tarp only if you must
A tarp is a temporary fix. If water is coming in, call me and I will tell you what to do.
- 04
Step 4: Call your insurer yourself
You decide whether to file. You deal with your insurer.
- 05
Step 5: Ask me for an inspection
I inspect, photograph and write an itemized estimate you can share with your insurer.
- 06
Step 6: Decide in your own time
I can meet your adjuster at the house if you ask me to.
Plainly
Where I stand on insurance work
You decide whether to file
I can tell you what I found on the roof. Whether to make a claim is up to you.
The deductible stays with you
It is yours to owe. I don't waive it or absorb it, and no honest roofer can.
I'm not your adjuster
I can't call myself a public adjuster, and I don't negotiate your claim for you.
No gifts for a signature
No yard-sign payments, gift cards or referral money tied to an inspection or an insurance job.
Storm questions
Will insurance pay for my roof?
For sudden damage, subject to your policy. Not for age, wear or poor upkeep. Some policies pay replacement cost, and others deduct depreciation. The deductible stays with you.
Can you cover my deductible?
No. The deductible stays with you. I can document the damage and meet your adjuster, but I can't call myself a public adjuster.
What should I do right after storm damage?
Photograph it, make only temporary repairs such as a tarp, tell your insurer, and have a roofer there when the adjuster comes.
A man at my door says my roof will cost me nothing. Is that true?
Insurance pays only for covered damage, and you still owe the deductible. Ask for a local address, proof of insurance and a written estimate, and don't sign over any rights.
What are Class 4 shingles?
UL 2218 Class 4 is the top impact rating for a shingle. Some insurers give a discount for them, and each company decides.
How do I know it is hail damage?
Look for bruised or cracked shingles, round patches where granules are gone, and dents on vents and gutters.
Request a roof inspection
I will look at the roof, photograph what I find and write it down. You decide what to do with it.