Why You Might Need To File A Roof Claim This Month

Most people people wait until they have a leak to get their roof inspected. But if your roof is 15 years or older, and you haven’t had it inspected recently, then you need to get it inspected this month. Here’s why:

A lot of insurance companies are reducing their roof coverage once your roof reaches the age of 15 years.

I’ve already had several calls this year from homeowners who are receiving these notices from their insurance company. When their renewal takes effect, their storm damage deductible is going up and/or they are losing half or more of their coverage on their roof.

All this to say, make sure you look at your renewal policy closely. If you’re losing significant coverage, then get a roof inspection scheduled asap. Even if your roof seems fine, and it’s not leaking, this may be your last opportunity to get insurance to pay for the majority of a new roof. This could be the difference between paying $1000-$2500 now or $10k-$15k for a new roof in a few years.

It may not be top of mind right now, but trust me, you’ll be glad you took action early. Home insurance is not cheap, and at Evergreen, we always try to help our customers get the most out of their policies, so they can protect their homes and save money.

The statute of limitations is about to run out for the March 3rd, 2023 wind storm in Kentucky.

The US Department of State specifies the following about filing insurance claims:

“The statutory limitation in which a claim may be presented is 2 calendar years. The time of accrual begins at the time of the incident causing the loss or damage or when the loss or damage was or should have been discovered by the claimant through exercise of due diligence.”

We are coming up on the 2 year anniversary of one of the most destructive, widespread wind storms Kentucky has ever seen. This storm occurred on March 3, 2023. I remember it well because we had to get our church’s roof replaced as a result of the damage.

I’ll tell you who also remembers this storm well - insurance companies in Kentucky - because they had to pay out millions of dollars on it.

Well, if you haven’t gotten in on the payout for this storm, then you only have a few weeks left to investigate and file a claim.

Ensure you’ve done your due diligence to investiagte wind damage on your roof. In most cases, you can see missing shingles from the ground, but you probably won’t be able to identify other wind damage like tearing or creasing without an inspection from a roofer who knows what to look for.

Schedule an Inspection

At Evergreen, we offer free inspections for storm damage, so there’s no financial risk in getting your roof looked at. If we don’t find damage, then you at least have the peace of mind of knowing you don’t need to file a claim. But if we do find damage, then you could be looking at saving thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars.

SCHEDULE A FREE INSPECTION

Roofers Make Ideal Allies for Realtors and Insurance Agents

Author: Carson Troutman, Project Manager

In my time as a roofer, navigating the world of small business networking, there's at least one realization I've seen over and over again - Roofers are invaluable partners for realtors and insurance agents.

I want to meet as many good realtors and agents as I can. Because if we all know our lane and we focus on serving homeowners with empathy, we make the business experience better and far more efficient  for all involved. 

Roofers Save Headaches with Customers

Realtors and insurance agents often face the challenge of dealing with customers who are anxious about the state of their roofs. Whether it's a potential buyer worried about the integrity of a home's roof or a homeowner concerned about damage after a storm, roofers can step in to provide expert assessments and peace of mind.

By working with roofing experts, realtors can ensure that any roofing issues are identified and addressed before they become deal-breakers. This proactive approach can help smooth the transaction process and prevent last-minute surprises that could derail a sale.

Roofers Assist in the Insurance Claim Process

Roofing damage can be a significant concern for homeowners, especially when it comes to filing insurance claims. Insurance agents benefit greatly from the expertise of roofers who can provide detailed and accurate damage assessments. This ensures that claims are processed efficiently and accurately, reducing the likelihood of disputes or delays.

Roofers can also assist in documenting the extent of the damage with photos and reports, which are crucial for insurance claim success. A roofer's professional input can help justify the need for repairs or replacements, making it easier for insurance agents to advocate for their clients.

A Network of Trust and Care

Building a reliable network of professionals is essential for realtors and insurance agents. Roofers, with their specialized knowledge and skills, become trusted allies in this network. Their ability to provide honest, accurate assessments and high-quality work fosters a sense of trust and reliability among all parties involved.

This network of trust ensures that clients receive the best possible service and care, enhancing the reputation of realtors and insurance agents alike. By collaborating with reputable roofers, these professionals can assure their clients that they have access to top-notch expertise and solutions. At Evergreen Roofing, we prioritize professional partnerships that enable us to serve homeowners with excellence and efficiency. 

Connect with Evergreen

If you're a realtor or insurance agent looking to build a solid partnership with roofing experts you can trust, consider connecting with our team at Evergreen Roofing. We are dedicated to providing thorough and accurate assessments, high-quality work, and exceptional customer service and education.

By partnering with Evergreen, you can offer your clients the peace of mind that comes with knowing their roofing concerns are in capable hands. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can support your business and enhance your clients' experience. When we work together to serve others, we make each other better. 

Want to connect? Reach out to us through the information below:

502-648-4391

carson@evergreenbuilthomes.com

Know How to Spot Hail Damage on Your Roof

A Good Way to Vet Your Roofer

In the roofing business, one obvious way to tell if your roofer knows what they’re doing is their ability to correctly identify hail damage. There’s a lot of out of pocket roofers out there, who will show you a picture of marks on your roof, tell you it’s hail damage, and completely waste your time. Here in Louisville, Kentucky we usually experience hail storms every spring. If your property gets hit, you need a roofer who knows what to look for in their inspection.

Understanding Hail Damage: What to Look For

Identifying hail damage on your roof can be tricky if you don't know what to look for. Genuine hail damage typically appears as indentations or pockmarks on the shingles. These dents are relatively circular and may vary in size. The impact of the hail often removes the granules on the shingles, exposing the black fiberglass underneath. Genuine hail damage drives the rocks on your shingles into the fiberglass.

Hail damage is often confused with “bruising” or “blistering” on shingles.

Bruising is non-storm-related damage to shingles. It’s typically sporadic and limited to a small number of marks, unlike most hail damage, and awkwardly shaped. Bruising usually occurs from foot traffic (human or animal), and it can also happen during the roof installation and repair processes.

Blistering on roof shingles refers to the formation of raised areas or bubbles on the surface of the shingles. This occurs when moisture trapped beneath the shingles heats up, causing the adhesive to break down and the surface to separate from the underlying material.

Both blistering and bruising are categorized as normal wear and tear on a roof. No insurance companies will consider them to be damage, and they never approve claims for wear and tear.

Below are some photo examples to help you tell the difference.

Here we can see clear hail damage to the roof box vent. Soft metals like box vents are the best place to start looking for hail damage.

Here is an example of obvious hail damage on shingles. Notice there are multiple hits with a circular indentation.

Here we have an example of normal wear and tear, which is common to find on the edge of shingles.

Here is a bruised shingle. Notice the shape is not consistent with hail.

Here is the most common wear and tear we see on shingles. This is simply granule loss that occurs from water runoff over time.

This last one is unfortunately a kind of damage I’ve seen several times, but it’s not storm damage. Yes, I pulled a bullet out of this roof.

The Risks of Misidentifying Roof Damage

Misidentifying roof damage can lead to significant risks. Filing an insurance claim for non-hail or wind related damage can result in denial and put you in a difficult spot with your insurance company going forward.

When unqualified salespeople claim to find hail damage where none exists, you end up wasting your time.. Always ensure that your roof damage assessment is performed by a reputable and experienced professional.

To schedule a roof inspection with a trained professional, contact Evergreen today.