EMERGENCY
REPAIRS

Storm Damage

What To Do After A Significant Storm

How To Deal With Insurance

You and your insurance provider are partners in protecting your home. It’s essential to recognize that you are not adversaries; instead, you share a common goal of restoring your house to its original condition. You can streamline the process and achieve this objective by fostering open communication and collaboration. Insurance companies aim to ensure customer satisfaction by handling claims promptly and accurately.

INITIATING THE CLAIM: COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR AGENT
Reach out to your insurance agent, and they will guide you through the necessary steps. Depending on the storm’s severity, your insurance company may request an assessment of the damage by a reputable roofing company before officially filing a claim. However, if the storm’s impact is significant, this step may be bypassed as it becomes unnecessary.

PRICING: THE INSURANCE APPROACH
Insurance companies provide itemized lists for each product that requires replacement, aiming to minimize any ambiguity regarding the necessary repairs. Each line item is associated with a replacement cost, a standardized price established by a third party based on the region. Xactimate is a commonly used tool for this purpose. Both contractors and insurance companies have access to this program, enabling them to collaborate and ensure comprehensive coverage and accurate pricing.

PAYMENTS: HOW DOES THE INSURANCE COMPANY REIMBURSE YOU?
Typically, insurance payments are made in two installments. The first is the ACV (actual cash value), which accounts for around two-thirds of the total cost the insurance company is willing to provide, regardless of the work completed. The second check is the RCV (replacement cost value), which incorporates a depreciated amount and is paid upon the completion of the repairs. To receive the RCV, you must invoice the insurance company once the work is finished.

DEDUCTIBLE: UNDERSTANDING AND PAYING YOUR DEDUCTIBLE
Your deductible is a predetermined amount specified in your insurance policy. It represents the sum you agree to pay before the insurance coverage takes effect. By law, the deductible is the initial payment made in a claim.

Example: If your deductible is $1,000 and the insurance claim amounts to $10,000, the insurance company will reimburse you $9,000 once you complete all the necessary repairs and submit a $10,000 invoice. If, by chance, the total cost of the repairs amounts to only $9,000, the insurance company will reimburse you $8,000.

In any case, you are responsible for paying your deductible. Attempting to evade this payment is illegal and constitutes insurance fraud (see Nebraska Statute 44-8604).

Request a FREE INSPECTION

RETAIL PROCESS VS INSURANCE CLAIM PROCESS

Retail Process:
If your roof is showing signs of aging and you suspect it’s time for a replacement, it’s advisable to consult a trustworthy contractor. Their professional expertise will enable them to assess the condition of your roof and provide you with an informed opinion regarding the necessary steps.

Insurance Claim Process:
In the event of a significant hailstorm, it’s crucial to examine your gutters, siding, windows, and vehicle for potential damage. If you observe damage on more than one of these items, it’s advisable to contact your insurance company to initiate an inspection. If you’re uncertain about the extent of the damage, reaching out to a roofer for their professional opinion can be helpful. However, it’s important to note that the ultimate authority in determining the extent of the damage lies with the insurance company. They are responsible for making decisions based on the assessment of the damage.

Retail Process:
If you do not have a trusted roofing company yet, begin by selecting a few reputable companies and request a bid from each of them.

Insurance Claim Process:
When dealing with an insurance claim, the pricing is predetermined. Your primary task is to find a reliable local company that you can trust to complete the job efficiently.

Retail Process:
To determine the price for your project, it is important to obtain bids from contractors. The price may vary based on factors such as the quality of materials used and whether the contractor has proper insurance coverage.

Insurance Claim Process:
In the insurance claim process, you are responsible for paying your deductible, while the insurance company covers the remaining costs. However, if you decide to upgrade products or have additional work done, you may choose to incur those expenses separately.

Retail Process:
In a retail project, you are responsible for paying the entire cost of the project.

Insurance Claim Process:
Yes, according to the law, the deductible is the first amount to be paid out on an insurance claim. The remaining funds will be provided by the insurance company. It’s important to note that if a company claims they can make the deductible disappear, they are likely engaging in insurance fraud, and involving yourself in such activities is illegal. Please refer to Nebraska Statute 44-8604 for further information on this matter.

Retail Process:
You have the freedom to select and prioritize the specific work you want to be done in the retail process.

Insurance Claim Process:
In an insurance claim process, the scope of work provided by your insurance will include a list of tasks that need to be completed. It is important to note that any work on this list that remains unfinished, whether it’s done by you or a contractor, will not be covered by the insurance until it has been completed and reported to the insurance company. While you may choose to leave certain items untouched for various reasons, it’s essential to be aware that the insurance company will not reimburse or pay for these items again if they are not replaced.

Retail Process:
Roof replacement is typically necessary only when the roof is in a severely deteriorated state and actively leaking.

Insurance Claim Process:
In most cases, hail damage does not cause immediate and severe roof damage that requires immediate replacement. While your roof may have sustained damage, it should be able to hold up for the foreseeable future as long as there are no active leaks. However, if you notice any holes or active leaks in the roof, it is important to contact us immediately so that we can promptly patch them and minimize potential interior damage.

The straightforward answer is NO. Many contractors either have limited insurance coverage or no insurance at all. It is strongly recommended to implement a best practice by requesting your roofing contractor to provide you with a certificate of insurance. If you have concerns about the contract, you can ask them to include your property as an additional insured party and provide you with a copy. This step ensures that your property is protected in case any issues arise during the contract. Even if the contractor stops paying their bills, your project will still be covered.

When reviewing insurance policies, look for the following minimum requirements:

  • Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 per occurrence
  • Workers Compensation Insurance: $500,000 per occurrence
  • Umbrella Insurance: $2,000,000 per occurrence
  • Additionally, make sure to obtain a certificate of insurance as proof of coverage.

If NCI is your preferred choice for completing the work...

If you plan to use your insurance to cover the necessary repairs and have chosen NCI as your preferred contractor, please complete the Insurance Form provided. A roofing specialist from our team will promptly get in touch with you to discuss your requirements. Once you have met with the specialist and finalized the scope of work, they will present you with a formal proposal for your review, adjustments if needed, and signature. We appreciate your patience as we strive to address all customer inquiries and calls.

Why it might be advantageous to delay roof replacement:

Following a significant hailstorm, many individuals inquire about the ideal timing for roof replacement. While we can safely install new roofs well into the autumn months, it can be beneficial to wait until later in the summer or even the subsequent spring (subject to your insurance guidelines) when dealing with an insurance claim. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Frequent hail occurrences in Nebraska: Hailstorms are common throughout the spring and into mid-summer in our region. By waiting, you may be able to avoid the need for another roof replacement (and paying another deductible) in the event of another storm. Every additional season you can postpone replacing your roof means one less season of wear and tear on the new one, providing you with added savings.
  2. Prompt repair team availability: We maintain a dedicated repair team throughout the year to ensure our customers’ homes remain watertight. Rest assured, we can promptly address any leaks until your new roof is installed.

After A Storm

Displayed below are images illustrating the extent of hail impact in Lincoln and its surrounding areas. These maps serve to offer our valued customers and potential clients a visual representation of the areas that were most affected.

Presented below are several images showcasing the damage incurred by a few houses as a result of the hail storm that occurred on June 7th, 2022.


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