⚡ EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Maximizing Your Insurance Claim

Unfortunately, the DFW and Austin markets are plagued with unscrupulous roofing companies that literally prey on...

Call Now: (972) 256-8616

Uninhabitable damage

If you sustain extreme damage from a hail storm, severe winds, or flying debris that forces you to temporarily relocate, keep your receipts. This includes all your storm-related expenses. Always verify it directly with your insurer, but if your policy covers the type of storm you experience, it likely covers the cost of additional living expenses.

Questions to ask your insurance company

Remember, you can call your insurance agent and ask questions about your coverage without filing a claim. For instance, if you think your roof repair may cost less than your deductible, you may want to do some investigation before opening a claim.

“We went with a low-priced company for our last roof. It was a disaster. Come to find out, they installed a lesser quality shingle than the one we paid for. By the time I found out, the company was nowhere to be found so I was skeptical when I started looking. Your sales person restored my faith in roofers. I could tell from the first time we talked that he was honest and was looking out for my best interest. Your strong online reviews helped too. Thank you.”

Is the damage covered under the terms of my policy?

How long do I have to file a claim?

What if I can’t complete the repairs within the timeframe of the claim? Can I file an extension?

What is my deductible for this type of claim?

How long will it take for an adjuster to meet me?

How long it will take to process the claim once the adjuster completes the inspection?

Will you need to see estimates for repairs?

What happens if more damage is found after the adjuster leaves, how is that handled?

Preparing for the Adjuster

In most cases, the insurance company will send an adjuster to get the most accurate picture of your storm insurance claim. An adjuster is professionally trained in damage assessment and in the company’s estimating software so they provide the company a comprehensive financial assessment of the needed repairs. You want to make sure they include damage to gutters , painting , siding , fencing , and windows as well. However, under certain circumstances they may send proof of loss form for you to complete. TexUS Roofing & Construction saw this happen in 2016 in areas that we so hard it, it was very clear-cut that most homes and businesses needed roof replacement .

Based on our experience, the more information you have ready when the adjuster arrives, the larger the initial approved claim amount. This applies to everything from a full roof replacement estimate to what you paid for your damaged charcoal grill. One example was a customer that provided the adjuster the invoice from his original roof showing he had a weather barrier underlay across the entire roof. As a result, the adjuster immediately added it to the claim even though his visual inspection could not see it. Every little bit helps. It’s also experience that the more prepared you are, the faster your claim generally can be settled.

It’s worth the time investment

Two last pieces of advice are based on TexUS Roofing & Construction’s 10 years of working storm claims.

For more information about residential roofing and other exterior services we provide call (972) 256-8616 (Dallas, Fort Worth) , 972-256-8616 (Austin), or contact us online.

✓

Do your home, make your lists, and document everything. Even in the event you never show them to the adjuster, becoming knowledgeable is the best way for you to make informed decisions and feel confident that you are maximizing the claim.

✓

Only work with reputable vendors. We have heard countless stories of people taking advantage of homeowners and business owners in the Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin areas. If the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List does not rank them highly overall, stay away. There’s usually a reason.