Hail Prep: Photo Your Roof Now for Easy Claims Later
Homes with shingle roofs, particularly, can suffer from considerable hail damage. It is always good to prepare for these weather events to have a more straightforward insurance claim process. Preventive action is both time-saving and stress-relieving in case of damage. A common practice is taking pictures of the roof before storms occur, which can serve as excellent evidence when making claims.
Why Photographs Matter
If you’re looking for ways on “How to prepare your home for the upcoming hail season,” roof photographs offer irrefutable proof for insurance providers before a storm. Insurance companies typically request evidence of the previous condition to grant claims more quickly. This lack of evidence may delay or create disputes for homeowners wanting to process their claims. You must take pictures ahead of time as evidence, so there shouldn’t be any problems at the time of claiming.
Taking Pictures Of Your Roof
Photography is not just about pointing and clicking. To get it right, here are some tips:
Choose the Right Equipment
If you have a decent camera, use a smartphone. Make sure that the camera is high-resolution and thus captures crisp images. A digital camera with zoom (if you can find one) is helpful for close-ups, too.
Pick the Perfect Time
Natural light enhances photo quality. Avoid shooting at midday when the sun is harsh. Lighting is ideal in the early morning or late afternoon.
Capture Multiple Angles
Shoot the roof at different angles to ensure good coverage. Provide photographs of various ends and corners and point out any susceptible spots. Doing this ensures that no aspect is left unexamined.
Focus on Key Areas
Be sure to caulk between and on top of, particularly shingles, gutters, and all noticeable seams. These regions are susceptible to harm and are key focus areas for assessors. In supporting claims, you must have clear images of these sections.
Include Landmarks
Compare your property by including parts of the house or the yard in the pictures. Landmarks, like chimneys, skylights, or trees, contextualize the photos, thus making it easier to confirm their authenticity.
Organizing and Storing Photos
After capturing the photos, arranging and storing them in their respective places is crucial. Use a distinct folder on your computer or a cloud storage service.
Mark the location with the date and description. Continue to add photos to this repository as necessary.
Keeping Up-to-Date Records
After completing any alterations or repairs on the roof, you should take pictures to keep records fresh. Regularly updating it every six months or so can keep your documentation relevant.
After the Hail Storm: What You Should Do
When a hail storm passes, the next step is to check for roof damage. You can then take new pictures and compare them with the pre-storm pictures to pinpoint problems.
Check for missing shingles, dings, or irregularities. Comparing images helps identify specific areas of damage and aids in filing claims.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Submit the before-and-after storm pictures to the insurer when filing a claim. Provide a complete description of observed damage. When you have all the evidence upfront, the claim can get processed faster, so the resolution occurs much quicker.
Consulting Professionals
If the roof is considerably damaged, you should consult a roofing professional to inspect it. They can provide a judgment from an expert eye, which offers potential advantages you may not see from images alone. A professional report can back up such evidence and add credibility to the claim based on documented evidence.
Preparedness is Paramount
Preparation is an insurance policy to mitigate losses. Proper documentation is always reassuring and helps alleviate anxiety while handling insurance companies. This approach leads to a more optimized claims process and fewer disputes and delays.
Conclusion
A simple but effective step in preparing for storms is photographing a roof before hailstorms arrive. Doing this helps with insurance claims and gives homeowners peace of mind. Homeowners can confidently prepare to handle storm damage by following these valuable tips.
