If you’ve experienced roof damage recently, you may be looking at an expensive bill, especially if your insurance company won’t cover everything. A public insurance adjuster can help with that. Public insurance adjusters are experts in quantifying damage and negotiating with insurance companies and vendors. Both of these specialties can help you get as much of your damages reimbursed as possible.
Identifying the True Cost of the Damage
When your roof is damaged, the cost of the damage doesn’t only include the cost of your roof itself. There can be many complications. If the damage was due to a storm, hurricane, or physical damage like a tree falling over, there could be damage to other areas as well. For example, the exterior walls and the interior of your home could have some additional damage.
In addition to physical damage, there could also be water damage. Staining, drywall damage, and even wallpaper damage will need to be factored into the total cost of the insurance claim. Mold and mildew could also form as a result of water damage.
Sometimes roof damage isn’t something that happens quickly, such as in a storm. Sometimes there may be a slow leak, which requires repair and causes significant water damage over time. These are all things that can be difficult to quantify unless you have the help of a professional.
Getting Reimbursed for Peripheral Damage
Apart from the cost of the repairs, you’ll also need some additional coverage for your damages. This could include the cost of a hotel or a motel if you’re going to be staying in one, or the cost of moving your things and replacing your furniture.
If you do end up with mold or mildew, you may need the cost of a professional cleaning covered. This could also come with air quality tests and follow ups. You need to find out whether these things will be covered by your insurance company.
Assessing the Value of Your Roof
Roofs depreciate over time. They become damaged and wear down. When your roof is damaged, you generally won’t be given the entire cost of a roof. You’ll be given an amount that is adjusted based on the value of your roof at the time of the damage.
A public insurance adjuster will be able to figure out the fairest value of your roof, including factors such as the type of roof, when it was built, and whether it had been properly maintained. Maintenance is especially important, as your insurance company could argue that it was not properly maintained.
Public insurance adjusters will complete a tremendous amount of legwork for you, including taking core samples from your roof and taking photos and videos as documentation.
Negotiating With Your Insurance Company
Every insurance claim has a limit on the amount that it will pay out. Roof damage is expensive, and if there were a lot of things damaged, you could be getting close to that cap. Luckily, insurance adjusters don’t just work with the insurance company – they also work with vendors.
An insurance adjuster can save you money by negotiating with vendors on your behalf. They can also advise you on the average costs related to your damage, as they are extremely experienced within the field. Once they have this information, they can help you get the lowest costs for your repairs, including repairs that aren’t covered.
Public insurance adjusters are most useful when you there are multiple factors to track. Roof damage is one of those situations. Not only can the damages easily crop up, but it’s also easy to miss something within the claim. The best time to contact a public insurance adjuster is before you’ve contacted your insurance company. If you have any questions, contact us at The People’s Choice Public Adjuster.