Texas sees its fair share of powerful storms, and roof damage happens. Whether it’s high winds, hail, a downpour, ice, or a combination of all these, our roofs can take a beating, and if yours is showing the tell-tale signs of storm damage, it’s time to consult with an experienced Texas roof damage attorney.
Get to Know Your Policy
If your roof has been damaged, it’s important to know what your insurance policy covers and what it doesn’t. For example, most homeowners insurance covers hail damage, which includes the dents, punctures, and cracks that hail causes. Also, your policy is likely to cover the damage caused by high winds that we often experience in Texas, such as ripped flashing, missing shingles, and – when very serious – structural damage.
Damage that May Be Covered
When it comes to damage to your roof that’s caused by lightning, fallen tree branches, or fire, your policy’s specific terms will guide whether or not it’s covered. This makes knowing your policy well important, and a trusted roof damage lawyer can help.
Policy Exclusions
There are also forms of roof damage that are often excluded in insurance policies, and they can seriously impact your coverage eligibility under specific circumstances.
Wear and Tear
Typically, homeowner policies exclude the everyday wear and tear that tends to erode our roofs over time. Roofs do not have unlimited lifespans, and time ultimately catches up with them. This makes it very important to determine when roof damage is caused by deterioration over time and when it’s caused by a sudden event, such as a storm.
Specific Events
Some policies exclude the damage caused by specific events, such as flooding or earthquakes. If your home is located in an area that’s prone to these weather events – such as the Gulf Coast region – purchasing a separate policy that addresses these risk factors is generally advised.
Inadequate Maintenance or Neglect
The damage that’s caused by failing to properly maintain your roof as it ages or that’s caused by outright neglect is unlikely to be covered by your homeowner’s policy. The bottom line is that your insurance company expects you to put in the reasonable effort necessary to maintain your home and to protect it from damage.
Your Deductible
Even when a claim is covered, you’re likely to have a deductible, which is the amount you’ll be responsible for paying before the insurance coverage kicks in. This represents your share of the total repair expense. Different policies implement different deductibles, and the lower yours is, the higher you can expect your insurance premiums to be.
When it comes to coverage for what are considered disasters, such as windstorms, hurricanes, and hail, the disaster deductible may be calculated as a percentage of the overall damage. The range is generally anywhere from 2 to 20 percent – with higher percentages applying to lower deductibles.
How to Get Roof Damage Compensation
If your roof has been damaged by a covered event, there are several important steps involved in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Assess the Overall Damage
Once you recognize that you have roof damage, it’s time to carefully assess how serious it is. This includes documenting the damaged areas by taking pictures and videos, which you’ll include with your insurance claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The next step in the process is reporting your damaged roof to your insurance provider as soon as you can. This involves sharing details about the damage to your roof and how it occurred, including the date of the weather incident.
Contacting your insurance provider will trigger a roof inspection that allows them to determine the extent of your damage. Being present for this inspection means that you can show the roofing pros the areas you’re concerned about, which – in turn – can help ensure a more accurate assessment overall.
Moving Forward: Hire the Moore Law Firm for a Free Claim Check
Don’t navigate the complex insurance process alone. Hire the Moore Law Firm for a free claim check on your property damage claim. Our experienced attorneys will help you obtain estimates from reputable, experienced roofing contractors and use these experts to negotiate the fair settlement you deserve. Leval the playing field against the insurance company by working with our practiced roof damage attorneys from the beginning, we’ll protect your rights and ensure you receive proper and fair compensation.
Our goal at the Moore Law Firm is to secure a settlement that ensures you have enough money to make all necessary repairs to your home or property. Unlike insurance companies that often minimize payouts, we advocate solely for your interests. We’ll meticulously document all damage, challenge lowball offers, and pursue the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under your policy. With the Moore Law Firm, you can be confident that your settlement will provide the financial resources needed to completely restore your property without reaching into your own pocket.
Contact the Moore Law Firm today at (956) 631-0745 to schedule your free claim assessment and ensure you don’t leave money on the table.
An Experienced Texas Roof Damage Attorney Can Help
The focused roof damage lawyers at Moore Law Firm faithfully serve clients throughout the Rio Grande Valley and we dedicate our practice to helping clients like you obtain fair claim settlements that allow them to protect their valuable assets. If your home’s roof has been damaged, please don’t wait to contact or call us at (504) 840-5529 for more information today.