How to Get Emergency Roof Repair After Storm Damage

Taking storm damage to your roof constitutes an emergency. Your roof protects your entire household, from your family members to all of your possessions. The longer it takes to restore your roof, the more susceptible you are to further damage from the elements or criminals who may leverage your home’s compromised state to get inside. 

For emergency roof repair after storm damage, call a reliable roofing company immediately to inspect all the damages. Take photo evidence, remove exposed belongings, and patch up the area to prevent further water damage. Then, call your home insurance rep, together with your contractor, to launch a claim and negotiate. 

This post will assess the dangers of roof storm damage and list the immediate precautions to take for your safety. Then, it will cover the next steps in detail, including what to expect from insurance and how to get emergency storm damage repair.

Understanding Storm Damage to Your Roof

Causes of storm damage include strong winds, heavy rain, hail, and lightning strikes. Depending on the severity of the storm, these elements can cause a range of damage to your roof, including:

• Broken or missing shingles.
• Leaks and water damage.
• Damaged flashing.
• Dented gutters.
• Cracked skylights or windows.

Remember, these damages may occur in areas that are not easily visible, so it’s important to have a professional company assess your roof. 

A seasoned roofing company also assesses the impact of storm damage on your roof’s structural integrity. If left unaddressed, such damage can lead to even more serious issues in the future. 

The technicians from your restoration company need a thorough review of your roof to accurately diagnose the extent of damage. 

Immediate Steps after Storm Damage

Safety should be your top priority when dealing with storm damage to your roof. Don’t linger around your property if you suspect it has sustained significant damage. Instead, follow these immediate steps:

1. Check for any obvious signs of damage from a safe distance.
2. Stay away from any downed power lines, and call the utility company immediately.
3. If there is extensive damage, leave the property and wait for a professional to assess the situation.
4. If there is minor damage, document it with photos and contact your insurance company.
5. Remove any debris or fallen branches from your roof if it is safe to do so.
6. Take your belongings to a safer spot that isn’t exposed to the elements.

How to Get Emergency Roof Repair in Kentucky

Storms have a knack for striking when folks’ pockets are empty, so it’s better to be prepared. The best way to get emergency roof repair in Kentucky is to invest in a solid homeowner’s insurance policy. 

Without insurance, you’d have to pay for roof restoration without any financial assistance. Having a strong insurance policy in place can give you peace of mind knowing the repairs will be covered. 

Moreover, a professional roofing company can help you save time and money. They have the expertise and equipment to handle storm damage quickly and efficiently.

Reputation and licensing should be your biggest concern when shopping for storm damage roof repair. A good place to start is checking if there’s a list of your insurer’s preferred contractors. Insurers always vet and work with licensed roofing companies. 

Armed with a list of prospects, check online for local reviews of the contractor with whom you’re interested. Also, enquire if the company has proper insurance coverage so you’re compensated if they make mistakes that cause you losses. 

Get your select roofing company to give you detailed cost estimates for their services. Once hired, the contractors should help you with emergency inspection and damage prevention. 

That said, the following are two steps for getting emergency services in Kentucky:

1. Conduct Initial Roof Damage Assessment and Mitigate Further Damage

Some roof damage is hard to spot. You may also not have enough insight to identify structural damage that could result in serious issues down the line. Worse still, you could get injured in the process. 

Never trust yourself to assess storm damage on your roof. Leave it to the experts who have the proper training and experience. Call a roofing company that offers emergency inspection and repair services. 

Seasoned technicians should visit you and help inspect every inch of your roof from inside and out. Time is of the essence because most insurers require that you report storm damage immediately. 

It’s also necessary to call professionals because they also help mitigate that damage by:

• Patching up leakages to prevent water damage.
• Installing a tarp to reduce leaking.
• Deploying any other temporary solutions to prevent further damage.

Most contractors ask you to pay upfront for such measures, but you can always include that cost in your insurance claims for reimbursement. 

Even if leaks and structural damage aren’t visible, it doesn’t mean your roof is the same. The damage might still be there. Contractors will find such issues, fix them, and help you bill the costs on your insurance.

The preferred contractor should come in immediately and note all damages. Ideally, they should help you call your insurance company to kick-start the claim process.

2. Contact Your Insurance Company for the Claim Process

You pay your insurance premiums religiously so that you can have their assistance when things go wrong. However, it’s worth noting that insurers are businesses looking to make a profit. They might try to minimize the cost of your claim by denying, delaying, or underpaying it.

You have to report the damage quickly and provide all necessary documentation to avoid any issues that could jeopardize your claim. Then, your insurer will send over an adjuster to assess the storm damage. 

Remember, adjusters work for the insurance company and aim to assess the damage accurately based on their policies. It’s still a good idea to have your chosen contractor present during the inspection to ensure all relevant damage is identified.

After completing the inspection and mitigating further damage, you’ll receive an estimate of what your insurer thinks they should pay for repairs. Your contractor should be there to help you review the estimate, ensuring it covers all damages. 

If not, your contractor can negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to get a fair settlement. Most often, your insurer will often disburse an upfront payment calculated based on the depreciated value of your roof, depending on the terms of your policy. 

The upfront payment should help you pay restoration contractors a deposit. You only get paid the rest of the insurance money if you can prove you did the restoration work via receipts or invoices from your contractors. 

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a storm-damaged roof can be overwhelming and stressful if you’re unprepared. Remember, you’ll need a roof repair for storm damage as soon as possible to avoid further complications. 

To prepare for water, fire, or storm damage correctly, you need to have an emergency plan in place. Of course, the plan should start with having your homeowner’s insurance policy intact. 

Your insurer should walk you through the process of filing a claim and provide coverage for both interior and exterior damage to your home. And while your insurer may recommend a few restoration companies, you should still do your research.