Question 5: A Bomb Cyclone Just Hit My House! Should I File An Insurance Claim?
The day of the storm, we were asked this question by a homeowner who has lost a few shingles and the simple rule of thumb should be: If you observe major damage to your property, then don’t delay, call your insurance company. If you observe only minor damage, or if you suspect you may have damage, don’t call your insurance company. Instead, call a credible contractor to inspect your property and tell you whether or not you have an insurable loss.
What is “major damage?”
If you had a tree fall on your house, that’s “major damage.” If you had branches fall from a tree and put holes in your roof, that’s “major damage.” If 15-20% or more of your shingles blew off, that’s “major damage,” especially if the underlayment blew off with the shingles and the wood decking is now exposed. If you had branches fall on your roof, but didn’t penetrate the roof, that’s not major damage, nor is it major damage if you had a handful of shingles blow off.
If you don’t have major damage and you file a claim, then your adjuster may deny the claim, at which point you then have a “zero-pay claim” on your record. If there is some minor damage, he may accept the claim, but if the cost of the repairs is less than your deductible, you have a claim but with no financial benefit to you. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you call a contractor to inspect your property. If you have an insurable loss, your contractor will let you know and will recommend that you file a claim with your insurance company.
If you have any questions about the condition of your roof after the bomb cyclone of March 13, 2019, please contact Homestead Roofing.