Many individuals who have had hail damage to their homes or business may have frequently asked questions about the process of making hailstorm claims.
Q. My roof was damaged in a hailstorm. Can I start to make repairs to prevent further harm?
You should take minimal steps immediately to protect your property against further damage and theft. You have an obligation to mitigate your damages, or to stop the further damage from occurring. Use plywood, tarps, or other materials to cover broken windows and damaged roofs. Keep the receipts of all materials that you purchase to make these repairs. If you hire someone to make the repairs for you, keep an invoice and proof of payment. Photograph all of the damage before any repairs are made. Also, photograph after your repairs are made. Use pictures and video to demonstrate that the immediate repairs were necessary.
Q. Can I file my hailstorm claims or storm damage insurance claims?
You should, as soon as possible after the storm, contact your insurance company to let them know you need an inspection and that you will be making a claim. This gets the process started. You can file and manage the claim on your own. If you find that your insurance company is using bad faith tactics to put off paying you or is unreasonably delaying your inspection such that your home or business sits out there damaged, you may need the help of an experienced attorney. An attorney can help move the process forward and take the hassle of fighting with the insurance company off of your plate. The Law Office of Mynor E. Rodriguez P.C. has an attorney experienced in handling hailstorm claims or cases.
An attorney can help maximize your claim by walking you through the process of conducting an inventory of all of your damaged personal or business property. Mynor Rodriguez can hire the right experts to prove up your loss and present your damages to the insurance company in a way they understand.
Q. I purchased my insurance through an insurance agent. Can the insurance agent represent me in my claim?
An insurance sales agent who writes policies for the insurance company gets his paycheck from that same insurance company. You shouldn’t count on them to have your best interest at heart. Also, the insurance adjuster who inspects for hail, storm and roof damage is also paid by the insurance company and is not likely to bite the hand that feed them. However, an attorney you hire and the experts that they hire will be there working for you, loyal to you. It is preferable to have professionals who represent you, working for you, as opposed to hoping that adjusters or agents that work for the insurance company do the right thing by you.
Q. What should I look for when hiring a contractor to help make repairs to my home or office?
When disasters like hailstorms hit, contractors may appear out of nowhere. You may even have contractors stuffing your mailbox with flyers or offering you a free roof as a form of advertisement. Be wary of a business that chases the storm or form immediately after the storm. Do your homework. Look for contractors and roofing companies that have been in business for some years. Check to see if they have positive online reviews and are rated with the Better Business Bureau.
You should receive a free inspection that is followed by a written bid itemizing all of the work to be done, complete with photographs of the damage. The contractor should be available to meet with the insurance adjuster to walk them through all of the damage and to justify the necessary repairs. Also, make sure the contractor provides you with proof of insurance. Unfortunately, there are people looking to take advantage of storm victims. Protect yourself from being victimized twice. Contact us today for a free consultation about your hail damage claim.
