Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Storm Damage Repair Costs?

The St. Louis area has seen its share of storms, tornadoes, hail, wind, snow, sleet, and rain. The Gateway to the West is often a magnet for inclement weather. Storm damage repair is often a necessity.

If you need storm damage repair then the first question you probably have is whether or not your homeowners insurance will cover the cost or if you will need to come up with the money on your own. The answer to this question can vary, depending on a number of factors involved. Some things that you may want to consider before hiring a contractor will include:

• The specific clauses that are included in your insurance policy. The actual policy that you received is your contract with the insurance company.
• If you file a claim, will the rates that you pay for the insurance coverage or the deductible amount that you have go up?
• What are your options if there is visible damage from a storm but the insurance company denies your claim?
• Should you have a contractor represent you during the insurance inspection?
• How many estimates should you get for the repair work that is needed?

Each Homeowners Insurance Policy Will Have Specific Storm Damage Repair Clauses

As soon as you realize that you need storm damage repair then you should look over your homeowner’s policy and see exactly what it lists as covered, and if there are any exclusions in the contract as well. This will help you determine whether the event that caused the damage and the type of damage that you have will be covered under your current policy.

The water damage clause is among the most important provisions of an insurance policy. Accordingly, it is important to read your policy and understand the protection you do and don’t have when it comes to water damage.

Source: InvestingAnswers.com

Will My Insurance Rates or Deductible Go Up if I File a Claim?

This question is asked quite frequently and your answer might be different from your neighbor’s.

If you file a claim for storm damage repair, you could see rate or deductible increases because of the claim. Every situation, and insurance company, is different and you should always speak to your personal insurance company or agent for your exact circumstance.

If your damage is relatively low, or not significantly higher than your deductible, you might want to think about paying for the storm damage repair costs yourself.

Homeowner’s insurance generally works differently from car insurance and the rates that you pay are usually based on where your home is located rather than whether you have filed a claim or not.

Homeowner’s insurance focuses more on the region that you live in. The number of catastrophes your area has suffered in the past few years, the potential risk in your area, the type of residential home, and the amount of coverage you buy…

Source: MoneyCrashers.com

What if My Claim is Denied but there is Visible Damage from the Storm?

If you or a professional have noticed the need for storm damage repair then you should file a claim. If your claim is denied you have the right to appeal the decision. You may be able to prove your case with the help of the contractor who noted the damage and provided an estimate. Some contractors work with insurance companies on a regular basis and know what you need to prove a claim.

Should You Use a Contractor to Represent You During the Insurance Inspection?

If you need storm damage repair and you have had a contractor evaluate your property then you may want the same contractor to represent you when the insurance inspection occurs. The roofing expert will typically have experience dealing with adjusters. They can point out any areas of damage or other issues that need to be addressed.
Be extremely careful about the contractor you choose. Storm chasers often descend on areas where storm damage has occurred.

Some contractors aren’t even roofers at all; they are scam artists who go from town-to-town, door-to-door, taking money for work and underperforming or not performing at all…

Source: Better Business Bureau

Do You Need to Get Several Estimates?

Once you notice that you need storm damage repair how many estimates will you be expected to get? Normally you will only require one estimate, because the amount paid by the insurance company is based on software programs and actuarial tables. Once you have an estimate this is all you need to get the ball rolling.

Have you ever needed storm damage repair? How did you handle it and were you happy with the results?