Overson Roofing is your quick and reliable source for roofing repair and installation services in the Phoenix Valley. We will use our almost 40 years of experience to provide you with the best service possible when it comes to your hailstorm roof damage needs. Overson Roofing specializes in hail storm damage repair in Phoenix, AZ and has done so since valley homes were damaged by the October 2010 hailstorms.
As a result of the October 2010 hailstorms throughout Phoenix and the surrounding cities, it was reported that there was significant hail damage to more than 150,000 homes with an estimated total cost of $3 billion. Hail damage is a serious problem.
Damage caused by hailstorms can differ due to a variety of issues: hail size, wind speed and direction, roofing materials, the roof’s age and slope.
When driven by high winds, marble sized hail and larger hail can cause substantial damage to roofs, A/C units, paint and window screens. It only has to hail for a few seconds to cause damage.
Damage to a roof is not always visible from the ground. Composition asphalt roofs suffer granular loss. Granular loss causes premature cracking of the protective asphalt underlayment, significantly decreasing the life of your roof. Roof damage should be accessed as soon as possible after the storm. Damage from hail can compromise the value of your roof. Ignoring this damage could possibly lead to severe problems in the future, including leaks during heavy rains and greatly accelerated roof deterioration during exceptionally hot months. In order to make an accurate assessment the inspector must be willing to get on your roof and examine the shingles from close range. Although identifying hail damage is partly subjective, the Haag Engineering company has established a criteria and procedure for assessing hail damage that is used industry wide among insurance companies. All contractors should be using the same criteria as well.
Wind driven hail often dents air conditioning coils, windows, wooden pediments, gutters, fascia and stucco. Typically your insurance carrier is going to want to see collateral damage on other areas of the home to make an initial assumption that the roof is indeed damaged. Frequently, this collateral damage goes unnoticed, until it is pointed out and identified by a trained expert. Have the exterior of your home inspected by one of our professionals to be safe. There is no charge for this inspection.
Don’t let damaged tiles and holes in your roof destroy property inside your home. If you have even small leaks, the damage can add up quickly. Ideally, you’ll be able to get a roofing company out to tarp your roof quickly.
When a hailstorm hits, every roofing company in the Valley gets flooded with phone calls. Emergency tarping is essential, but often a company can’t get to you fast enough. As a worst-case scenario, here are some tips if you need to tarp the roof yourself:
Working on roofs can be dangerous so take these precautions when securing your tarp:
Homeowners insurance typically covers hail damage roof repairs, but the extent of coverage depends on your policy. Most plans cover roof hail damage repair when the damage is sudden and unavoidable. However, insurance companies may deny claims if they determine the damage resulted from pre-existing wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
Insurance companies can be difficult to work with and may require a lot of information for you to get the help you need. Before you make any decisions on fixing your roof, contact your insurance provider to find out what your options are.
Once you understand your options, hire a licensed and qualified roofing contractor to make the assessment process easier. The contractor will assess and document the damage on your roof by noting the date of the storm, taking photos, and writing down areas that were damaged. It is your responsibility to disclose any damage to property inside of your home. Ask the roofing contractor for an estimate on the repair or replacement costs.
After your contractor gives you the assessment documentation, contact your insurance company to file your claim.
Filing an insurance claim starts with thorough documentation. Take the following steps to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
A certified storm damage roofer can provide a detailed assessment and written report to support your claim. Insurance adjusters often rely on professionals offering residential roofing services to validate damage.
Capture images of dents, missing shingles, cracked tiles, or water leaks. Include wide-angle shots of the whole damaged roof and close-ups of problem areas.
Document previous roof repair work or roof inspection reports to prove the damage wasn’t pre-existing.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, so it’s important to advocate for yourself during the claims process.
If your claim is denied, don’t panic. Many homeowners successfully appeal denied claims with additional evidence from a roof inspection conducted by a reputable roofing professional.
While wind and hail damage can often be detected by missing shingles or leaking roofs immediately after the storm, sometimes it can take many weeks or months after the storm to realize the damage. In these cases, you should get an expert’s opinion on the extent of the damages.
No you don’t. Most all policies are replacement cost policies, which means your insurance company will pay you the cost to replace your roof even if you only get one estimate. They might encourage you to get three estimates, but it is not necessary. Be sure that you call licensed and bonded professionals that can produce local references that are at least one year old.
In most cases you are entitled to two inspections by two different adjusters representing your insurance company. Denied or partial claims often stem from insurance companies changing the scope of what they are covering under their hail policy. Initial inspections, especially those performed without a contractor present to advocate on the homeowners behalf, are often held to more stringent guidelines. If you notice neighbors getting substantial amounts of work done to their homes, have your home inspected by a knowledgeable contractor. If the contractor feels there is more damage than noted in your first adjustment, call your carrier and request a re-adjustment. This is not an unusual request so do not be afraid to exercise this right. Have the second adjuster meet with your contractor of choice and jointly re-inspect your home.
No. This is not a scam by the contractors. Neither a contractor nor a homeowner can convince an insurance company to pay out thousands of dollars for hail repairs unless the damage is identifiable and significant enough to satisfy predetermined thresholds established by your carrier. All a contractor can do is provide an expert eye during the adjustment process to assure that any and all damage sustained by your property is properly identified and compensated for in the adjustment phase.
No. Individual insurance rates are not adversely affected by filing a claim for hail related damage. Hail claims are deemed an “Act of God” under the terms and conditions of your policy, your individual policy will not increase.
Make sure the contractor you choose is a licensed contractor in the State of Arizona.
Avoid contractors asking for down payments before construction begins.
Make sure your contractor is insured and can provide written notification of their insurance policy.
Make sure your contractor is local to the Valley. There are many contractors who have coverage in our area posing as local companies, but in fact not. Beware of contractors who do not have local license plates, who are unfamiliar with your area, or who are not listed in the yellow pages.
Make sure your contractor is using brand name roofing products. Stick with the names you know in roofing ElK, GAF, Tamko, and Certainteed are some of the well known and respected manufacturers in the roofing industry.
The cost of hail damage roof repairs varies based on the severity of the storm and the roofing materials. Here’s a general breakdown:
A thorough roof inspection by a trusted storm damage roofer will determine whether a hail damage repair or a full replacement is the most cost-effective solution.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that contractors offering residential roofing services can assist with financing options and help maximize insurance claims, ensuring you get the best possible outcome after a hailstorm.
When storms hit the Valley and cause large amounts of damage contractors from other states may come in to benefit on the amount of work. These contractors may offer you low rates and get the job done quickly but often do not provide the best quality of work. They are looking to fix your roof and move onto the next one for the pay day. Use a local contractor like Overson Roofing to repair your damage. This way you know who is fixing your roof and you know you are receiving the best service possible.
When choosing a reputable roofing company, you want to make sure they are qualified to do the job. Ask the contractor about their state licensing. Roofing companies also need individual licenses for residential and commercial properties. Overson Roofing is licensed by the State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Overson Roofing is fully licensed, bonded and insured. Also, search for quality reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings. Overson Roofing continuously receives A+ ratings from the BBB.
Our roofing professionals will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have concerning your roof. Get your free estimate today for your hail storm damage in Phoenix, AZ by filling out the form below or by calling us.