Nothing is more devastating than an unpredicted disaster that desolates your home. The powerful winds accompanying a thunderstorm can tear the shingles off your roof, and a massive hailstorm can shatter your windows and pummel your siding.
Unless you can miraculously see the future, there’s no way to predict when these cataclysmic weather events will occur. There are, however, ways to prepare for them in advance. One way to prepare for ruinous weather is to learn how homeowner’s insurance works so that you can navigate the recovery process speedily and smoothly in the event of damage. To educate you on insurance, here are some home restoration insurance claim myths you might not have known about—and what the truth really is.
Home Insurance Covers Everything
A lot of homeowners assume that insurance covers every kind of damage. Thunderstorms? All good. Hailstorms? We got you. Floods? Well… maybe, but maybe not. Unfortunately, standard homeowner insurance policies don’t usually cover everything. For example, they don’t cover water damage caused by floods, storm surges, or structures with inadequate weatherproofing construction. They also don’t cover damage as a result of earthquakes. In fact, standard home insurance policies typically don’t automatically cover most natural disasters or damage caused by negligence. However, you can usually add coverage for these situations under an addendum.
You Have To Pay the Deductible Upfront
Most homeowners understand there are out-of-pocket costs for deductible payments, but what most don’t realize is that they don’t have to pay the deductible up front. That doesn’t mean you can delay paying it indefinitely, but it’s better than having to deal with a hefty payment immediately after your home sustains damage.
Your storm damage contractor will bill your insurance carrier during the first stage of repairs (the mitigation phase). It’s wise to avoid contractors that want you to pay upfront—this isn’t standard industry practice. The second stage of repairs (the reconstruction and repair phase) is where the deductible comes into play. It’s deducted from the estimated cost of repairs and passed on to you.
You Can Only Use Insurance-Approved Vendors
Another common home restoration insurance claim myth is that you can only use vendors that your insurance carrier has approved. The contractor you choose to work on your home needs to be certified, but apart from that, you have the right to choose who works on your home. In fact, choosing your own contractor is often better than going with insurance-approved vendors. The vendors listed on your insurance’s “preferred vendors” list aren’t there because they’re unsurpassable when it comes to quality—they’re there because they give the insurance company sizeable discounts on their services (which means more money in your insurance carrier’s pockets). An independent contractor is more likely to have your best interests in mind than one your insurance carrier suggests.
Looking for a reputable and reliable
roofing contractor in Edina? When it comes to storm damage, Viking Contractors can handle it all: dented shingles, shattered windows, chipped siding—you name it. Contact us today for a free inspection and quote!
0 Comments