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Your commercial roof in Atlanta has taken a beating from that storm. Now, you have some challenges with filing an insurance claim! You'll need documentation and attention to get fair coverage of repairs or a full replacement.
Everything you need to know about filing your commercial roof insurance claim in Atlanta is right here. The process will mean taking photos of the damage. You'll need to bring in professional roof inspectors. You'll also need to manage insurance adjusters and make sure that you get a fair settlement.
The insurance claims process doesn't have to drain your bank account. Let's talk about this some more.
Commercial Roof Damage
Storm damage to your Atlanta commercial roof needs complete documentation for a successful insurance claim.
You can start by looking at your roof safely from the ground with binoculars. Your smartphone camera will come in handy for capturing visible damage like missing shingles and dents or punctures. Make sure you document everything closely.
Inside your building, some signs of roof damage could be showing up. You'll want to scan your ceilings and walls for water stains. Your camera should capture any wet areas, drips, or puddles you might come across inside. Remember to note down when you find each issue.
While waiting for insurance, you might also need to make some quick fixes to prevent more damage. Every receipt from emergency repairs and supplies matters - so save them all. Save your before-and-after photos of temporary roof fixes. Also, save any damaged materials like shingles. Your insurance adjuster might want to check them out later.
The attic space usually shows roof problems you can't find from outside. You'll find clues like wet and discolored insulation or darkened wood sections. Any moisture you find up there needs to be photographed. Just remember to record when you did your inspection.
When you have a professional roofer look at your commercial roof, it helps your case. They'll catch problems you might have missed and give you complete documentation. Their inspection report will back up your insurance claim. Most roof contractors won't even charge you for storm damage inspections.
Right after you find storm damage, you should reach out to your insurance company. Let them know when the storm hit and what damage you've found. They'll tell you what kind of proof they need for your claim. Most insurance businesses let you submit photos and videos through their apps, too.
Fresh damage from recent storms is what insurance adjusters start with most. They'll want good proof that links the damage directly to the weather event. Your documentation should show what is new damage versus old conditions. Timestamped photos and videos will help prove your case.
Hire Professional Roofing Inspectors
A professional roof inspection can strengthen your storm damage insurance claim! Your licensed roofing contractor will find problems that you might miss on your own. Even problems that aren't visible at a glance.
Your roof may have some hidden storm damage that gets worse the longer you wait. That's why professional inspectors bring tools like moisture meters to check for water damage. They also use infrared cameras to find moisture trapped under your roof. With these tools, you can get a complete picture of the damage!
You'll need good proof when you file your insurance claim. Professional inspectors take complete photos and videos of every damaged area on your roof. You'll also get a written report that explains what happened and why! This documentation helps your case with the insurance company.
Most insurance companies actually need a professional inspection before they'll approve your claim. Your contractor proves that the storm caused the damage instead of regular aging.
Having your roofing contractor there during the insurance adjuster's visit helps quite a bit. They'll make sure the adjuster doesn't forget any damage. Because they know what repairs cost, they'll double-check that your settlement covers everything. Their expertise helps you get the money you deserve.
When you hire roofing contractors who manage insurance claims, they know the process well. They speak the insurance language and know what your policy covers. They'll manage the back-and-forth with your insurance company. This takes a giant weight off your shoulders during this stressful time.
Notify Your Insurance Company Right Away
Your first priority after a storm hits Atlanta is to call your insurance provider. You can jeopardize your claim being denied if you wait too long. Insurance companies usually set strict deadlines for reporting storm damage to commercial roofs.
You should gather all the facts before making this call. Take photos of any visible roof damage and find your policy number. You'll also want to note when the storm happened and document clear problems like water leaks or missing shingles.
When you're prepared, it'll help the conversation with your insurance company flow. Your insurance rep will need to know facts about when you first saw the damage and what happened during the storm.
When you make your call, jot down who you're speaking with and their contact information. Make sure that you get the name and phone number of your assigned claims adjuster, too. You'll need your claim number for any follow-up conversations.
Insurance companies need complete documentation from the second you start your claim. Snap lots of pictures and videos showing the roof damage from multiple angles. These images need to show just how extreme the destruction is. Remember to document any water damage that's made its way inside your building, too.
Commercial property owners worry about their claims being turned down because they waited too long. When you file can affect your success rate. But you shouldn't let that stop you from filing even if some time has passed. What matters is reaching out to your insurance company the second you find any storm damage.
Your insurance provider needs the information to process your claim faster and properly. Make complete notes of every conversation and copies of everything you send them.
Submit the Required Documentation
You'll get much better results with your commercial roof insurance claim when you document everything properly. Take clear photos and videos that show the damaged areas on your roof from every angle. It'll prove how bad the storm damage is!
Insurance businesses can take professional inspection reports, too. That's why you should find a qualified commercial roofer who can check out the damage. They'll write up a complete report listing every issue they find and tell you what needs fixing.
Make sure you hang on to every bit of communication about your claim. That means saving all your emails, text messages, and written estimates from contractors. After any phone calls, you can jot down quick notes about what was talked about.
The proof of loss form is worth filling out. It's where you'll explain the damage and how much the repairs will probably cost. Your insurance company needs this form before they can process your claim. Remember to attach those contractor estimates and maintenance records.
Complete record-keeping will save you tons of challenges later. Set up organized folders on your computer to store online copies of everything you send to the insurance company. For actual paper documents, store them somewhere protected where they won't get damaged.
Insurance businesses care about how old your roof is and what condition it was in before the storm hit. Any paperwork about past inspections or maintenance work can improve your case! Recent upgrades or repairs might even help you get better coverage.
Sometimes, you can't wait to fix problems after a storm hits. Just remember to snap lots of photos first so you can show what the original damage looked like. Save those receipts from any emergency fixes, too. You'll need them for your claim.
Your policy facts matter when you're filing a claim. Look through your coverage limits and what you'll need to pay for your deductible. The fine print in your policy can tell you what kind of settlement you might get.
Multiple estimates from different commercial roofers can strengthen your case. Each contractor might see something others missed. When you have professional opinions, it makes it harder for the insurance company to lowball your claim.
Speak with Insurance Adjusters
When you work with an insurance adjuster after storm damage, it might feel a little intense! You'll need to work closely with these pros as they look at your commercial roof and choose your insurance payout. They'll document every bit of damage they find.
You need to stay organized and in touch with your adjuster throughout the entire process, too. Start with taking lots of pictures and writing down complete descriptions of the storm damage. Make sure to note when the damage happened and grab any weather reports from that date.
Having a qualified and experienced roofing contractor on your side during the inspection will improve your opportunities. The contractor's expertise means they'll find problems that others might miss. They also speak the technical language that adjusters understand.
Always tell the truth when your adjuster asks about the damage. The more complete information you can give them, the faster things move. Quick replies will naturally speed up your claim process. Just follow the facts instead of guessing about what caused the damage or repair costs.
Your adjuster won't miss a thing during their complete inspection. They'll snap photos, write complete notes, and measure all damaged areas. Sometimes, they'll even take material samples to help choose exact repair costs. Then, they'll match everything against what your policy covers.
Even when you don't agree with what the adjuster discovers, stay professional and ask them to explain their reasoning. Your roofing contractor might find damage the adjuster missed. They can also give you complete estimates that back up your position. In some cases, you'll need another inspection to resolve any disagreements.
When you keep track of everything, it'll save you problems down the road. Hold onto every email, photo, and piece of paperwork related to your claim. Write down notes right after talking with your adjuster. Remember to save receipts for any emergency fixes you've already made.
Your adjuster will put everything together in their final report. They'll spell out which damages your policy covers and how much money you'll receive. The whole process might take a few weeks - especially for tougher claims.
Temporary Repairs
After a storm hits your commercial roof, you'll need to act fast to avoid bigger problems down the road. When you move faster, it can stop water from ruining your building's interior, too. While you manage insurance claims, a few quick repairs will protect you from spending way more money on damage control.
Grab a heavy-duty tarp and cover up any holes or damaged sections. You'll want to get that tarp secured with some heavy ropes or bungee cords. For smaller cracks, you can use roofing cement or stick-on patches from your local hardware store. These quick fixes will block the rain and wind from causing more problems inside your building.
When you take lots of photos before touching anything, it'll help support your insurance claim. You'll want to snap some clear pictures and videos showing what happened to your roof. Remember to turn on your phone's timestamp feature. That's proof of when the damage happened. Remember to save every receipt from your temporary fix-up supplies, too.
Most insurance businesses will pay you back for those quick temporary fixes after a storm hits. They actually want you to help stop more damage from happening to your property. Just remember to stick with temporary repairs while your claim is being processed. The permanent repairs should wait until your insurance company can give you their okay.
Finding a roofing contractor who knows their way around insurance claims can make your life easier. They'll look at the damage and tell you what temporary fixes you need. These contractors will even manage the back-and-forth with your insurance company themselves.
Your insurance company should be your first call before jumping into any serious temporary repairs. They may have restrictions on what you're allowed to fix. Policies also come with strict deadlines for reporting storm damage.
Negotiate a Fair Settlement
When you file an insurance claim for storm damage, it can be a little stressful! You might not know where to start or what paperwork you'll need. Taking the right first steps will set you up for success.
Your main priority is good proof of the damage. You should take lots of clear and complete photos and videos from different angles. Make sure that you can capture close-up shots of every problem area. Remember to write down when the storm hit and list out the damage you can spot.
Insurance businesses love to save money by giving quick but low settlements. You shouldn't feel rushed to take their first offer to you. Instead, you can spend some time looking up what these kinds of repairs usually cost around Atlanta. When you reach out to a few trusted roofing businesses for written estimates, it'll give you better insight into fair costs.
A public adjuster can improve your chances of getting what you deserve. These experts know the tough insurance language inside and out and are pros at negotiation. They're working for you and not the insurance company.
Your records need to be very complete. Write down everything about your insurance conversations (the date, time, and who you talked to). Save every single email and letter, too. Make notes about anything they tell you about your claim.
Staying calm and focused pays off when you're talking to adjusters! Being angry or upset won't do you any favors. Just show them the facts - your photos, documents, and repair estimates.
Insurance businesses are mostly worried about their profits. They manage tons of claims and expect you'll settle for less than you should get. You need to be firm but polite when pushing for fair payment.
Some expert support can strengthen your case. A reliable roofing contractor will give you complete proof of the damage. Professional engineer reports help prove the storm caused your problems. Professional estimates make your claim way more credible.
Protect The Roof Over Your Head
When you look back at the insurance claim process, you'll find that staying patient and paying attention to small facts will get you through it. Storm damage is a bit stressful - but taking each step in order makes everything easier to manage! Now is the perfect time to think about creating your own documentation strategy before the next big storm comes.
You can set yourself up for success by being ready ahead of time. When you take photos during regular roof checkups and keep a file of repair records and insurance paperwork, it'll save you problems down the road. These easy steps do make life easier when you need to file a claim.
Colony Roofers helps with your commercial and residential roofing requirements from our locations across Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Your roof deserves expert care to protect your investment and well-being. We'll manage your roofing project with the expertise you need. Our team brings years of professional experience to every job.
Reach out to us for a free inspection!
