Roof Storm Damage Insurance Claim Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania
Wind Damage Ranks #1 for Most Filed Type of Claim
This category includes the destruction caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, and the wind associated with thunderstorms, no wonder why it comes in first for frequency. When windstorms roll in, they often cause enough damage that repairs are greater than an insurance deductible, which makes sense to claim on a policy.
What to do After the Storm
It is always a good idea to schedule a roofing inspection following a windstorm. Not all damage can be seen from the ground. Look for shingles in your lawn or that have discoloration, tearing holes, or any leaks on the ceilings. These can all be signs that your roof has been damaged. Window frame damage or broken windows can occur in a strong windstorm. Be sure to look at you’re siding and AC unit for damage as well. If your home has sustained roof storm damage, download the Owens Corning roof storm damage checklist.
Roof Storm Damage
Wind Claim
Hurricane-force winds, 74 mph or greater, or gale-force winds, which are between 39-54 mph, can easily damage your home or business’s roof. High winds can remove or tear shingles, leaving the roof components exposed to the elements.
During less severe storms, sudden, sharp gusts can lift and break the watertight seals on your shingles. Once broken this could allow wind-driven rain to enter the property.
Standing Water
Roofs without proper drainage can experience standing water after a big rainstorm, especially flat commercial roofs. This allows moisture to penetrate the roof deck. If gutters are clogged the water can also backup under the shingles.
Debris
Depending on how severe the storm was, debris can end up on the top of your roof, such as branches to larger tree limbs. These objects can dent or impact the surface of the roof, allowing moisture intrusion to damage the sheathing, insulation, or drywall. The shingles may never re-seal if debris is caught underneath. Once the seal is broken the shingles wind resistance is compromised and will need to be replaced.
Down Trees & Tree Removal
If a tree falls on your house after a windstorm or other weather event, you should evacuate and if it’s safe try to prevent further damage to your home and property by hiring a professional to tarp the roof or walls and remove the tree off of the property. Make sure to take lots of photos or videos to document what happened. Call your insurance company to file a claim and request an advance and temporary housing if needed.
Roof Claim Policy
Some insurance policies state you have a time limit to report such damage from the date of the storm event. You also may have a separate deductible for wind. Under a replacement cost policy, insurers must replace the damaged property with “like, kind, and quality” that will result in a “reasonably comparable appearance”. Unfortunately, insurers do not seem to agree on this.
Most policies have limits of what is covered for tree debris removal and you should contact your local public adjuster to review your policy. You can be held responsible for damage to your neighbor’s house or property if your tree falls due to your neglect. If you see signs of a distressed tree such as dead limbs, cracks in the trunk, leaning to one side, or rot you should contact your local arborist. If the tree belongs to your neighbor, you should put them on notice by sending them the arborist’s report by certified mail.
Emergency services are required per your insurance policy to prevent further damage from occurring failing to do so can result in your claim being denied. We will make sure that your compliant so that your claim does not get denied!
Businesses need to start documenting their business interruption and gather their financials to file a claim for business income loss or business interruption.
Homeowners may want to get a fair rental value of their property to determine their additional living expenses during the restoration period. Disaster Recovery Adjusters can help you calculate and document these damages to expedite the recovery process.
Matching issues for roofing and siding claim
When roof shingles or siding are blown off one of the issues, we run into is that the material is no longer available. Another issue is that insurers like to pay for patchwork and the material currently installed has been weathered over time causing the new material to stand out like a checkerboard.
The insurer may also partially deny your claim for the undamaged areas even though they are located on the same slope or elevation. In some instances, your roofer may not be able to patch an area without causing damage to the surrounding shingles due to their age and brittleness which is considered “consequential physical damages” and is your insurer’s responsibility.
Roof Storm Damage Insurance Claim Public Adjuster in Pittsburgh and Erie Pennsylvania
Roofers and repair companies are slammed with work after a windstorm and may try to compete for your business by offering discounts or deals. They often offer to pay your deductible which is fraudulent. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You have an insurance policy with a reputable company. You’ve always paid your premiums on time. Now that you have a claim, you just want what you’re due. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Minimizing claims increases profits.
We’ll organize and manage your claim and help minimize the time you need to spend dealing with all the issues that may arise during this complex process, helping you reduce the time you must spend on it. Insurance policies can be difficult to comprehend, and without adequate knowledge, it can be easily misinterpreted, and in the process, you may give out the wrong information. We understand the insurance techniques inside and out that will prevent miscommunication between you and your insurance company and will also let you know if your rights as a policyholder are being neglected. It also gives you a third-party resource who can act as a witness in case more aggressive action is required to obtain a just recovery.
You need experience in reading insurance policies and knowledge about construction and building codes. The insurance company is looking out for itself. You want an expert on your side protecting your best interests and the Public Insurance Claims Adjusters at Disaster Recovery Adjusters has you covered!
Contact US
If the insurance company refuses to replace your entire roof and siding to maintain a uniform look or the repairs are severely noticeable you may need a windstorm insurance claims public adjuster in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, don’t wait. Call us at our Erie 814-882-7797 | Pittsburgh 412-996-9117 offices or email Jeremy@DRA-LLC.com as soon as possible. We’ll help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Here is a list of cities where our licensed damage insurance claims public adjusters maximized and expedited the insurance recovery process for business and homeowners after suffering residential or commercial property roof storm damage or other roof claims: Pittsburgh, Erie, Bethlehem, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Altoona, State College, Bethel Park, Williamsport, Monroeville, Plum, Easton, Lebanon, Hazleton, New Castle, Chambersburg, McKeesport, Pottstown, Johnstown, Hermitage, Indiana, Meadville, Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, and West Mifflin.
We handle residential or commercial property damage claims in Pennsylvania from such disasters as smoke and fire damage, tree damage, water damage, flooding, roof claim, roof storm damage, hail, and windstorms. We cover the current Pennsylvania counties: Erie County, Crawford County, Mercer County, Lawrence County, Butler County, Beaver County, Allegheny County, Washington County, Westmoreland County, Indiana County, Armstrong County, Greene County, Fayette County, Somerset County, Bedford County, Fulton County, Franklin County, Warren County, Forest County, Venango County, Clarion County, McKean County, Elk County, Jefferson County, Potter County, Cameron County, Clearfield County, Cambria County, Blair County, Huntingdon County, Centre County, Clinton County, Dauphin County, Perry County, Cumberland County, Adams County, Juniata County, Mifflin County, Tioga County, Lycoming County, Lancaster County
Public Adjuster Licensing in: PA #877366