Without physically getting on the roof, it is difficult to know if you have had hail or wind damage (rarely visible from the ground). If you are not sure whether or not you have sustained damage, contact Empire Roofing & Restoration for a free, no obligation inspection and/or estimate. Some insurance companies have strict timelines for you to file a claim (six months with some carriers). The age of your roof does not matter.

In order to properly file insurance claim on your roof, be sure to take the following steps:

• Note the date of loss (date of storm)
• Avoid storm chasers (out of town roofers)
• Get an opinion from a local expert
  Empire Roofing & Restoration 770-703-5140

Check to make sure your roofing company is licensed, and insured.
Have your contractor meet with your insurance adjuster to ensure that your insurance company will cover the full cost of repairing or replacing your roof. If you don’t get the full amount needed to repair your property, ask your contractor to get involved with your insurance adjuster to fight on your behalf for a fair settlement.

My insurance company said I need to use their preferred roofer?
Not true at all… You are allowed to use any contractor you choose. So be sure to pick the best contractor you can. Pick the best and pay only (your deductible)!
Insurance Terms Glossary
The following is a list of words that you may find on your insurance claim.

Line Item Total:
This is the total value of all line items in your insurance estimate plus adjustments for base service charges. Base Service Charges are additional charges that account for the cost the contractor or service provider incurs when mobilizing, scheduling, and transporting people and materials to the job site, and may be included in the line item portion of your insurance estimate.

General Contractor’s Overhead and Profit:
General contractor’s charge for coordinating your repairs.

Replacement Cost Value (RCV):
Estimated cost to repair or replace damaged property.

Depreciation:
The decrease in the value of property over a period of time due to wear, tear, condition, and obsolescence. A portion or the entire amount may be eligible for replacement cost benefits.

Deductible:
The insurer will pay for losses, up to the policy limits, in excess of your applicable deductible. You are responsible to pay your deductible.

Net Actual Cash Value Payment (ACV):
The repair or replacement cost of the damaged part of the property less depreciation and deductible.

Non Recoverable Depreciation:
Depreciation applied to items that are not eligible for replacement cost benefits. This is very rare, so be sure to ask why this item shows up on your insurance claim if it is there.

Total Maximum Additional Amount if Incurred:
Total amount of recoverable deprecation after actual repair or replacement of the property.
Total Amount of Claim if Incurred:
Total amount of the claim, including net actual cash value payment and total maximum additional amount available if incurred.
Explanation of Replacement Cost Coverage
Your insurance policy, in most cases, will provide full replacement cost coverage for most of the loss or damage done to your home. Replacement cost coverage pays the actual and necessary cost of repair or replacement (not just the estimated), without a deduction for depreciation, but subject to the limits of liability in your particular policy.

To receive replacement cost benefits (your recoverable depreciation), you must:
Complete the actual repair or replacement of the damaged parts of the property within the allotted amount of time (typically six months or one year from the date of loss); and
Notify your insurance company within 30 days after the work has been completed; and
Confirm completion of the repair or replacement, by submitting invoices, receipts and any other documentation to your agent or claim office.
Until these requirements have been satisfied, the insurance company’s payment(s) to you will be for the actual cash value of the damaged part of the property, which will most likely include a deduction for depreciation.

Typically, your insurance company’s estimate is not enough to repair the damages, which is why it is important for you to get an experienced professional contractor to assist you in making sure you are getting a “fair market value” settlement.
Note, there may also be building codes, ordinances, laws, or regulations that will affect the repairs of your property. These items may or may not be covered by your policy. This is also another good reason to hire a local, licensed, experienced professional contractor who understands any issues that may arise.

Highest Quality Roofing Services

Your roof protects you from all the elements and if a hail storm causes damages, it will be weakened. The damage to your siding and roof may not be obvious at a glance, but hail can cause the shingles to weaken and start a pattern of corrosion. If left unfixed, the exterior will eventually deteriorate and cause even more damage to your home. To ensure that all damages are accurately detected and repaired, you need to call a storm damage expert at Empire Roofing.

At Empire Roofing and Restoration, we only use the highest quality materials to make sure your roof protects your home the way it should. In addition to roof repair and replacement, we also offer gutter repair and cleaning, internal and external painting, and home restoration services.