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Do I Need to Call Insurance for a Roof Repair?

Posted on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at 1:43 pm    

call roof repairIf your roof was damaged during a strong storm or in some other way, it can be a stressful situation. Knowing whether to call an experienced roofer or your insurance company first can make a difference in how the claim is handled.

It may feel like the natural thing to call the insurance company first. And, in case of major roof damage during a storm, there may not be that much difference in the outcome. However, in case of a repair, it may be best to call an experienced roofer first.

In case of a repair, you may also be tempted to do it yourself. Most of the time, a DIY project at home is not a bad idea. But, when it comes to your roof, doing it yourself can be catastrophic. In Texas, you may need a permit for the type of repair being done to your roof.

Additionally, if there is damage after a DIY roof repair, your homeowner’s insurance will not pay for it. Although no one will stop you from repairing your own roof, the benefits of using an experienced and licensed contractor far outweigh the benefit of doing it yourself.

Who Do You Call First for a Roof Repair?

If your area was hit by a strong storm and you believe you have roof damage, you might think the first thing you should do is call your homeowner’s insurance company. However, you may be better off calling Kidd Roofing first for an accurate inspection of the roof and estimate of the damage before contacting your insurance company.

One of the biggest advantages of calling a roofing expert first is that they can assess the damage and negotiate with the insurance adjuster for repairs on your behalf. Most insurance adjusters are not roofing experts. When you work with a roofing contractor who has experience with insurance companies, they can help the insurance adjuster recognize and understand the damage that’s been done to the roof.

roof insurance inspectionA roofing contractor will give you an accurate and objective assessment because they are working for you. What they find on your roof does not immediately impact your current insurance plan. Another benefit of working with a roofing contractor first is they can spot damage you may not have noticed from the ground. They can then work with the insurance adjuster to ensure they don’t miss the additional damage as well.

Finally, if you report roof damage to the insurance company and they send an insurance adjuster, this is considered submitting the claim. In other words, if the repair work is less than your deductible, you will be paying the cost of the repair out of pocket. In addition, because you reported the damage to the insurance company, it is considered a claim and may cause a hike in your premium.

Three Things to Know About Your Roofer

Before you hire a roofing contractor, there are three things you should look out for. The company should have experience working with insurance claims. This puts an experienced and expert ally on your side if the insurance company does not recognize the damage to your roof.

You want to be sure that the contractor you use is licensed, bonded, and insured. If the contractor is missing even one of these factors, it can put you and your roof at risk. Most insurance companies will not approve the work of a roofing contractor who is not licensed, bonded, and insured.

Take care to work with a roofing contractor who is local to your area. If there was a large storm that came through your area, you might get out-of-state companies who come in to try and undercut the prices of a local company.

Highly trained salespeople can start going door to door to try to sell new roofs or undercut the price of a roof repair. Many of these companies perform poor work and may not follow local codes. This can place you in jeopardy with the city and may negate any further insurance claims on your roof since the work was not done properly.

Contact Kidd Roofing for Your Roofing Needs

The benefits of using an experienced and licensed contractor far outweigh those of doing any repair work yourself or hiring an inexperienced cheap contractor. The results from Kidd Roofing speak for themselves.

We have more than 40 years of roofing experience in Texas. We’re familiar with the local building codes and negotiating with insurance companies, and we can help you make the right decisions to protect your investment. Call Kidd Roofing today at (866) 671-7791 for an inspection and estimate of your residential or commercial roofing maintenance, repair, or replacement needs. We can also provide you with financing options.