If you have damage to your roof, siding or gutters, chances are the first call you’re going to make is to your insurance company! As a homeowner, making that call can be a little daunting. Here at Boak & Sons, we work with insurance companies on many of our residential exterior contracting jobs. We do our best to help homeowners understand the process of getting their damage fixed, which sometimes includes walking them through how to get their insurance involved. We can even meet with your insurance company directly! To make it even easier, Sam Boak is sharing a few FAQ’s and answers on what to do when you need to notify your insurance of damage to your home:
Q: Who do I call first, my insurance company or a residential exterior contracting company?
A: Call us first! Items like deterioration and improper installation are not covered by insurance policies and when you make a claim, it goes on your record even if it’s denied. If you call us first you can make sure you have a claim to make! Your insurance company will send an adjuster to take a look at the damage and determine how much money they will cover for the repairs. It’s important to note here that the estimate you get from a contractor might not match the amount your insurance is offering to cover. If the repair costs are higher, you can talk to your insurance company about adjusting your claim for more coverage.
Q: How does my bill get paid?
A: Most residential exterior contracting companies will bill your insurance company directly. Before you sign anything that allows your insurance to make the final payment, make sure you’re completely satisfied with the work. It’s much easier to make changes before that invoice is paid. You will be notified by either the insurance company or the contractor once the invoice has been paid.
Q: What will the adjuster look for?
A: Your insurance adjuster will inspect the damage to see how much money you will need to cover the repair. Sometimes, damage can be worse than it appears on the surface. If you know the damage is more extensive than it looks, make sure you tell the adjuster! They might not see a leak in your attic due to a damaged roof unless you show it to them. Little details are important to make sure you get the best amount from your claim.
Q: Why do I have to get multiple estimates?
A: Some insurance companies require you to get multiple estimates from different residential exterior contracting companies. While it is a good practice to get more than one, it’s absolutely your right to select from as many different contractors as you like. We’ve commonly found that insurance companies require at least three. This allows them to best determine a fair amount for your coverage!
Q: Should I sign with someone when they come to look at my house?
A: No! Do not sign anything until you are ready to sign a contract that includes the scope of work and a fixed price.
These are just some of the most common questions Sam Boak gets on a regular basis. There are many more that we hear very often, so if you have other questions feel free to ask us! Once you’ve talked to your insurance company, give us a call at 330-793-5646 to schedule your free estimate, or fill out the contact form on our website! Our residential exterior contractors are ready to help!
