1. Call a Roofing Professional
Before you file a claim, make sure you have one. A professional roofing company can inspect your roof and determine whether and how much damage you incurred. That can help you prevent a colossal waste of time and effort if it turns out your damage is easy to repair and not worth claiming.
2. Contact Your Insurance Agent to File a Claim
Your insurance agent is the best resource to get this information sent through the correct channels. They will be able to make sure you know all the options available to you. Make sure to call your insurance agent if you haven’t already learned how to submit to the correct avenues all the evidence and documentation you gathered about damages caused by Hurricane Harvey in your home.
3. Gather All Photos and Proof of All Damage
Whether you had receipts stored, a logbook of expenses or photos and videos of the damage caused to your home, it is essential that you find them now. Gathering all proof of damage caused to you and your home during Hurricane Harvey will make it easier for your insurance agent to file a claim on your behalf, and will give you a better idea of how much in damages to expect. Furthermore, this proof is essential to filing a successful claim, so gathering all documentation is essential.
4. Visit the Texas Department of Insurance Website
The Texas Department of Insurance website is set up to answer all of your questions related to Hurricane Harvey, whether that’s preventing contractor fraud or getting your repairs windstorm-inspected. They also have great resources for getting the claims process started and determining how the insurer will process the claim.
5. Check Your Insurance Reimbursement Policy
While reading through a copy of your policy might have been the last thing on your mind when dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, now is the best time to look at what can be reimbursed from that time. Homeowner policies may have coverage for evacuation expenses, such as living in a hotel and relocating from an evacuation zone. Check to see whether your policy will cover those relocation costs and whether you have documentation of these expenses.
6. Make Sure Your Home Is Inspected by Insurance-Approved Inspectors
Part of filing a claim also involves making sure that those that inspect your home for damages are approved by your insurance. If you hadn’t done so already, make sure your inspection of post-Harvey repairs is done ASAP by a credible company, such as Pinnacle Roofing Systems.
Pinnacle Roofing Systems, Inc., is a full-service roofing company handling both residential and commercial projects in South Texas. Based out of Corpus Christi, Pinnacle Roofing is an established company with more than 25 years serving the Coastal Bend. Check out their website at PinnacleRoofingCC.com/.