You can count on a lot of things in Alabama, including natural beauty and unpredictable weather. The latter may bring everything from high winds and hail, to floods and devastating tornadoes. All of these things can wreak havoc on your roof. In turn, the damage can require repairs and even full roof replacements. Let’s look at the type of storm damage you may experience in Alabama.
Hail Damage
Hail can cause pretty extensive damage and that also depends on the roofing material your home has. Hail damage on a asphalt roof or composite shingles can cause loss of granules and expose the roofing felt underneath.
Hail damage is one of the most common homeowners claims, especially here in Alabama. Fortunately, most homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage.
Wind Damage
High winds can damage roofs whether accompanied by other harmful weather conditions or not. Wind damage may include missing shingles, leaks, and more.
Luckily, most homeowners insurance policies also cover wind damage, including tree-related damage caused by winds depending on your provider and amount of coverage.
Tornado Damage
A tornado can cause severe and devastating damage to homes. Alabama is a hot spot for tornadoes, especially from March to June. A tornado can have a vacuum effect and suck roofing materials right off of a roof. Flying debris can also cause damage to a roof.
Luckily, most homeowners insurance policies also cover wind damage, including tree-related damage caused by winds depending on your provider and amount of coverage.
Hurricane Damage
Heavy rains can cause several different types of damage to your home. Anywhere from leaks, rot, mold, stains, and cracks. Hurricane damage may cause more extensive damage that requires a roof replacement.
Most standard homeowners policies cover rain damage, unless leaks are a result of negligence. Policies are usually going to cover damage caused by Mother Nature.
Insurance in the case of Storm Damage
One of the first things you should do when storm damage hits your home is call your insurance company. Depending on your policy, insurance should provide coverage for several different types of damages.
Here are some tips and tricks for filing a claim:
Have your policy ready when you call an your insurance company
Have a detailed list of what type of storm caused the damage and time it occurred
Discuss the procedure and a deadline for filing a claim
Make sure to ask about the coverage your policy holds when it comes to roof damage, whether it be a repair or full replacement
Set up an appointment with an insurance adjuster ASAP. The sooner they come out and inspect the damage the better. They will total the damages and costs. Make sure your roofing contractor is there at the same time as the adjuster to ensure a more accurate claim.
Talk to your agent about the payment process, including how/when your claim will be paid.
Importance of working with a local roofing contractor
Choosing a dependable, qualified roofer is so important when a storm damages your roof. The roofer should be able to handle a repair, replacement and understand insurance claim processes as well. You should choose a local roofer when storm damage occurs. We have another blog post that lists out some important reasons for choosing a local roofer! Beware of storm chasers who dash shortly after the work is completed.
Trust in a local, experienced, and reliable roofer when a storm damages your Alabama property.