The state of Michigan gets approximately 49 hail storms per year, according to the NOAA’s National Weather Service. Your roofing and siding make up the bulk of your home’s protection against these heavy storms. It’s important to get your house inspected after a hail storm and address damages as soon as possible. Follow these tips from McLean Roofing and Siding.
Schedule a Roofing and Siding Inspection
Find a pro you can trust to inspect your roofing and siding. Do not rely on information from door-knocking contractors. You want someone who is licensed, insured, bonded, and local.
Most quality roofing and siding companies will offer free inspections after a hail storm as a courtesy to potential clients. You can get expert-level advice on what work needs to be done, if any. Here at McLean Roofing and Siding, we offer transparent information without high-pressure sales tactics. We won’t tell you that you need a roof repair just to get your money. In fact, we love giving the good news that a roof is just fine after a hail storm!
If you have missing or damaged shingles, ask the roofer to temporarily patch your roof. This is a quick fix to protect your roof until repairs can be made. Most roofing companies will do this as a good-faith measure to earn your business.
Get an Insurance Adjuster out to Assess Your Property
Technically you need two inspections – one from the insurance adjuster and one from the licensed contractor doing the work. The insurance adjuster will look over your property to note the extent of the damage and what work needs to be done. They use this information to estimate the cost of repairing the damage. That is the amount of money they will offer to compensate you minus your deductible.
Compare the Quotes from Your Insurance Company and Contractors – Adjust as Needed
If your roofing and siding repairs cost more than the insurance adjuster allotted, you can request an adjustment in your coverage amount. Your roofing or siding installer may be able to talk to the insurance company on your behalf to justify higher compensation. Once everyone comes to an agreement with payment, you can schedule your repairs without concern for the cost.
Get on the Repair Schedule ASAP and Be Aware of Project Delays
Roofing and siding companies book up fast after a hail storm, especially if it has widespread damage. Try to get on the schedule as quickly as possible because you may be waiting a while for service.
Note that the high demand in the area may create a shortage of certain materials. For example, you may have fewer shingle options than normal because the supply gets wiped out quickly. Getting on the schedule early could reduce your risk of design dilemmas.
Plan ahead for Future Storms
Now that you’ve seen which parts of your house got damaged the most, you may want to fortify them against future storms. If you had flat shingles on your old roof, upgrade to high-impact shingles. If your low-grade siding looked like Swiss cheese after the hail, consider getting something more durable for the next round. Your insurance may or may not cover these upgrades, so talk to your contractor about the added costs. A little extra money now could save you a tremendous amount later on.
McLean Roofing and Siding takes the hassle out of exterior home insurance claims. We provide transparent pricing, and we can work with your insurance company to get you the best possible outcome. Give us a call at (248) 524-1111 to get started.