Although growing trees on your property enhances your home’s beauty and comfort, it can also create a traumatic and stressful experience: a collapse or impact. A tree falling on your home can cause significant damage to your property and put your safety at risk. Therefore, the situation demands you act quickly and correctly to protect yourself and your home. Learn how to assess the damage, contact your insurance provider for roof insurance claims, and determine your roof’s age and its impact on insurance coverage. 

A roofing company specializing in roof repair, replacement, and insurance claims, Roofsimple puts our customers at the forefront of their respective projects. We seek to guarantee that they receive the results they desire. Our professional roofing team has the experience and training to guide customers through the most complex insurance claims. Call (540) 692-3808 or visit our website to learn more about our roofing services.

Below, we discuss how to proceed if a tree falls on your home:

Assess the Damage and Contact Your Insurance Company

To begin, assess the damage that the tree caused. Depending on the damage’s severity and outdoor conditions, you may need to evacuate your home. Since trees may fall on sunny days or during severe weather, consider the circumstances before acting.

As you evaluate the damage, contact your homeowners’ insurance company and file a claim. They will assign a claims adjuster to investigate your case, assess the damage, and determine your coverage eligibility. Note that different policy providers cover different damage types, and your eligibility for coverage depends on your policy’s details.

Document the Damage and Gather Receipts

While and after the adjuster assesses the damage, document all the damage yourself. Take photos of the damage, including broken windows, holes in the roof, or other structural damage. Also, record any temporary repairs you make—such as boarding up windows or tarping the roof—to prevent further damage. 

Then, contact your local roof repair company to have them assess the damage and determine the next steps. Keep track of all receipts for their work—you will need them to ensure you receive the coverage that your policy provides. As a full-service roofer, Roofsimple aims to help homeowners navigate the roof claims process and receive the coverage they deserve. 

Understand Your Roof’s Impact on Insurance Coverage

If your roof is old, you may struggle to get full coverage for its damage; adjusters consider a roof’s age and value when determining coverage. Many insurance companies have a “wear and tear” clause in their policies, which means they won’t cover damage from the natural aging process.

Also, consider your deductible amount and the roof’s value. If your repair costs $1000 and your deductible is $2000, your claim will probably be unsuccessful. Again, consult experts about your policy’s details and your roof’s age before filing a claim. You can also contact your insurance provider if you’re unsure about your coverage limits.

What to Do if Your Roof Insurance Claim Denied

Unfortunately, insurance providers deny many roof claims. Yet you have a few options if that happens to you. First, you can appeal the decision by providing additional information or documentation—including photos of the damage, receipts for temporary repairs, or an explanation of why you deserve coverage—to support your claim.

You can also try negotiating with your insurance company if they deny your appeal. Doing so may involve agreeing to a lower settlement or compromising with them. If all else fails, you can pursue legal action by hiring a lawyer and taking your insurance company to court. However, suing can be time-consuming and expensive, so it’s best to try other options first.

Get Advice on Roof Insurance Claims to Move Past Tree Damage

After a tree falls on your home, the roof insurance claims process can be both traumatic and confusing. Yet Roofsimple—one of the most trusted residential roofing contractors working in Northern Virginia—aims to make filing claims more manageable for clients. To learn more about our roof repair and support options, call (540) 692-3808.