Your insurance premiums cannot be raised because of damage caused by an act of God. However, your insurance company can raise rates across the board of an entire area that has seen wide spread damage. The bottom line is, whether or not you personally make a claim, your rates may go up because of the damage around you.
Good Reasons to Make a Claim
According to a recent survey, over 80% of homeowner's who have hail damage do not even know it.
In Minnesota, a property owner has two years to make a claim from the date of loss. This time passes quickly because half the year goes by with snow on the roof limiting them to an even shorter period of time to get it done.
Property values drop after a hail storm just like the value of your car would. Even though you may think you can live with a dent here or there, your home has still decreased in value.
Most people have paid for their homes to be remodeled several times over with their monthly and yearly premiums to the insurance company...it's time to take advantage of the protection you have been paying for. In fact, many of the homes (that are being remodeled) around you are being paid for by insurance companies.
The roof of your home is one of the most important structures. If the roof is bad, water may intrude leading to: rotted studs, soggy insulation, stained sheetrock, destroyed floors/furniture, mold and other problems nobody wants.
Damaging hail leads to excessive granular loss, which leads to an exposed fiberglass mat (that will eventually deteriorate from the hot sun and destructive snow and ice), which leads to a hole in the shingle and ultimately nasty leaks. This will happen sooner of later depending on how badly the shingle was affected by the hail.
When a shingle has been struck with hail (no matter what size it is) the manufacturer's warranty of the shingle may have been lost.
Many people believe they would be able to see the damage on their roof from the ground, when in fact most roofs which are "totaled out" have damage rarely seen by the untrained eye. The good news is: you can have a professional inspection done by your insurance company and us at no cost. (You won't even have to climb up the ladder).
Having the replacement work done leans to a safer and better equipped home. Our workmanship quality exceeds code standards and offers a 5-year transferable warranty. The manufacturer's warranty is fresh and new once again as well.
If you can think of a disadvantage to making a claim that exceeds the advantages, give us a call.
Hail Damage Facts
- Some hail damage may not show immediate signs of damage to your roof, but it will greatly reduce its duration of use.
- With some smaller hail damage, it will not initially create leaks. The hail dents the shingles which will gradually turn into holes.
- Hail damage can create leaks in your roof as the cracks and dents caused by the force of the hail expand and contract over time.
- Hail damage will cause mold to start growing when the cracks begin to leak.
- Hail damage often times will void builder and manufacturer warranties on your roofing, siding and air conditioning systems.
- Hail damage cause unreported millions of dollars done to roofs, siding, cars, crops, etc.
- Damage done by hail costs you time and money when you are ready to sell your home. When the inspector finds hail damage done to either your roof, siding, gutters, or air conditioning unit, it will be recommended that it be replaced by the seller.
How This Works
Homeowner contacts their insurance company and finds out three things:
Claim Number
Insurance adjuster's name and phone number
The date and time of the adjuster's appointment
Important: Call us back with this information. Cornerstone must meet with your adjuster to insure no damage to your home is overlooked and protect your best interest.
- We prepare a diagram of the damaged property and give an estimate for the insurance company.
- We meet the adjuster at the property.
- Agreement must be signed by this time.
- We meet with the homeowner to go over insurance paperwork, options and colors.
- Homeowner will receive a check from the insurance company. Often, the check will be made out to a mortgage company as well as the homeowner. If the 2nd party is a bank, you can go to a local branch and they will sign the check. If there is not a local branch you will need to send it to one.
- When the check is properly endorsed by all parties the job is scheduled and down-payment is made.
- We obtain a permit and make a material order.
- Material delivery is usually within five business days.
- We begin construction and finish in an efficient, timely manner.
- Foreman will do a finishing inspection of the project with homeowner.
- City inspector does inspection.
- We send out final invoice to insurance company.
- We receive a final payment from homeowner.
