Hail can be extremely damaging to your roof, especially because the damage may not be noticeable to the untrained eye. Because hail often falls as small ice pellets, it is hard to see the holes and indentations in your roof. Hail is not unusual in this area. In fact, New Jersey is listed in the top ten states for hail damage claims in the country. If you believe your roof has been damaged by hail, these tips can help you with an insurance claim to get it repaired.
How Does Hail Damage the Roof?
Although hail in this area usually falls as small ice pellets, it can be as large as golf balls. When large hail falls, the damage is usually pretty easy to see as it can actually break through the roof, break windows and seriously damage the siding. However, when the small hail falls, the damage is not quite as noticeable. One of the reasons hail causes damages is that it often falls in storms with high winds. When high winds are present, the hail blows or falls at a higher rate of speed which can increase the amount of damage. In addition, hail sizes vary in each storm. It is possible that golf ball size hail can fall in one area while, just a mile away, hail can be extremely small.
Types of Roof Damage from Hail
Just as there can be several different sizes of hail in one storm, the damage to your roof can vary as well. After a hailstorm, you may believe that your roof is fine because you cannot see the damage. However, if the integrity of your shingles is damaged, the life expectancy of your roof may be compromised. If the hail is accompanied by high winds, you could have shingles with lost granules. If this happens, the shingles can be exposed to harmful sun rays that could deteriorate your shingles over time. After a hailstorm, it is important to have your roof inspected by a highly-qualified roofing contractor to be sure there has been no damage.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Most homeowner policies cover damage by hail. If you are not sure, contact your insurance agent to be sure the coverage is included. When you file a claim for hail damage, the insurance company will send out an adjuster who will inspect the roof and exterior of the home for visible signs of damage. He may measure out what is known as a “test square,” a 10-foot by 10-foot area on various sections of your roof. If there is enough damage in each test square, the insurance company will cover the repair. It is recommended that you have a qualified roofing contractor there when the adjuster reviews your roof. The adjuster works for the insurance company and will try to keep the repair estimate as low as possible. A roofing professional will help protect you during the inspection to be sure the adjuster sees all damage that has occurred.
What if Your Claim is Denied?
It is possible the adjuster could deny your claim. Again, hail damage may be difficult to see, especially if the adjuster has not been trained to look for it if they are new or they simply missed it. You have the right to ask for a re-inspection by another adjuster from the same company. You may also be able to obtain additional estimates from roofing contractors who are experienced with hail damage. Even if the adjuster finds that there is damage, they may not offer enough to complete the repair. This can occur when a contractor sees more damage than the adjuster identified. Interior damages are often overlooked and it is possible the adjuster simply missed it.
If there has been a recent hailstorm in your area, it is possible your roof has suffered damage that you cannot see. Contact the roofing experts at RGB Construction for a no obligation inspection to determine if your roof has suffered damage. We will work with the insurance company and help you get coverage for the repair or replacement of your roof. Contact us by calling 856-264-9093 or fill out the simple online form.
