When a storm rolls through and leaves a path of destruction in its wake, your roof may be left in a less-than-ideal state. Wind, heavy rain, hail, snow….Mother Nature’s worst is often the catalyst for calling a contractor and starting the process of replacing or repairing your roof. Most home repairs following bad weather come with the unavoidable reality of filing an insurance claim. If you suspect roof damage, don’t wait! Getting a jump on the inspection process will help you quickly understand the extent of the damage and start working with your contractor and insurance company to restore your roof to tip-top shape. 
To help ensure a smoother process, keep these tips in mind when preparing to file an insurance claim:
Assess The Damage
Once the storm has passed (and ONLY if you are able to take the proper safety precautions), the first step you should take is to assess the damage done to your roof. Start by walking around your house and checking your roof for debris, obviously loose or missing shingles, or water pooling in places it shouldn’t. If you have access to your attic, look for leaks on the inside of your home and note what part of the roof they seem to be coming from. This info will help your contractor know what your primary concerns are when beginning the inspection process.
Document Everything
Here’s where attention to detail comes in! Write down any info that might be needed when filing the insurance claim: record the date of the storm and take as many pictures as you safely can of visible damage. These insights may come in handy later when you’re racking your brain to recall specifics to include in your claim. Keep all your notes in one place, such as a cloud-based filing system or a note on your phone so that you won’t have to scramble to pull everything together later.
Understand Your Policy
Knowledge is power, and the more you understand your insurance policy and what it covers, the more likely you are to avoid costly mistakes in the filing process. Know whether you have an RCV (replacement cost value) or ACV (actual cost value) policy and understand what the deductible is before making a claim. Keep in mind that the RCV allowed by an insurance company is only an estimate, and plan accordingly.
Ask The Experts
Contact Precise Exteriors and schedule a free inspection. Our team will perform a full inspection of your roof & siding. Once we’ve assessed the damage, we will work with you to place a claim & get your home’s roof back to normal.