Weather patterns indicate homeowners could face a higher number of storms this year with large hail and deadly tornadoes. Knowing what to expect and how to react can reduce the likelihood of major damage to your home. Read on to learn what five steps to take when preparing for storm season in Oklahoma!
Preparing For Storm Season: Homeowner Steps
Experts say Oklahoma’s storm season begins in March/April and lasts through July. That’s a long time! Severe weather can happen at any time so the sooner you start to prepare the better. Below are our top five tips on what you as a homeowner can do right now:
- Find your homeowner’s insurance policy and know coverage limits and amounts
- Pick a reputable contractor
- Get a property inspection before storm season begins
- Review the steps on how to file an insurance claim (below)
- Know common problems and FAQ’s (below)
Step 1: Create Emergency Plan & Review Insurance
Step 1 in preparing for storm season is to create an emergency plan. This plan dictates how you and your family will respond to a natural disaster, including where to seek shelter inside your home, having emergency supplies, and monitoring alerts. If you don’t already have an emergency plan created, visit Ready.gov to learn more.
Part of your emergency plan should include where to access important documents. Making electronic copies of all important documents is a good idea and your homeowner’s insurance policy is no exception. Should your home suffer damage from a hail storm or tornado, you will need to file a claim, and having all the information in one place will save you time and frustration.
When preparing for storm season, homeowners should also review the policy, coverage limits, and any exclusions. For example, one thing many homeowners are surprised to find out is that standard policies do not cover flood damage. Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies are another example of surprises homeowners could face when dealing with storm damage. These policies will cover damage but only pay based on the actual value for which the property could be sold. This value is almost always less than what it would cost to replace it as new. This type of coverage can lead to homeowners paying out of pocket to repair big-ticket items, like their roof.
Experts estimate that 2 out of 3 homes lack the proper amount of insurance which leaves them vulnerable to financial hardship should a storm hit. Reviewing your policy and coverage limits can ensure you and your home are fully protected against anything Mother Nature throws your way.
Step 2: Find A Reputable Contractor
Step two of preparing for storm season is finding a reputable roofing contractor. Widespread storms can cause long waitlists, and the last thing you want to do is go with the first contractor you find simply because your home is in desperate need of repair. Taking the time now to find a local storm restoration contractor will save you time and frustration later.
Choosing a qualified Hail Damage Expert is important!
If your home sustains major damage, you will want to quickly document the damage before any debris is cleaned or removed. A Storm Damage Expert can assist by inspecting your full home and taking photos/videos of the damage. This information is critical when filing a claim.
In addition, most insurance companies require temporary repairs to be made to prevent further damage to a home. Repairs can include tarps on roofs, cleaning debris off a roof, covering windows, etc. This should NOT be done until proper photo documentation has been collected.
A qualified Hail Damage Expert will be able to respond to your needs quickly, inspect your home, provide the photo documentation needed to file a claim, and complete all temporary repairs. This saves you time and allows you to focus on your family after a severe weather event.
Step 3: Request A Pre-Storm Home & Roof Inspection
Requesting a pre-storm home inspection may seem strange, as your home likely doesn’t have damage, but it’s essential for homeowners. This inspection will document your home’s condition, which will help your insurance company determine covered damages should you suffer any later.
Some insurance policies require proof of home maintenance – typically copies of repairs made or inspections completed. A pre-storm home inspection would satisfy this requirement. Without any documentation, homeowners leave the door open for existing damage to be blamed on a previous storm that may not be covered.
Proof of preventative maintenance is another problem homeowners run into. If roof damage is thought to have already been present before a storm hit, but measures were not taken to correct it, then the insurance company may not cover any of the repair costs.
Requesting a free roof and home inspection before storm season goes into full effect. This is one task you shouldn’t avoid when preparing for storm season. It’s always better to be safe than sorry – especially when it comes to your home!
Step 4: Understand The Insurance Claim Process
Step four of preparing for storm season is understanding the claim process. Filing a storm damage claim is not exactly fun. Often, it involves a lot of attention and time – both things that busy homeowners lack after a severe storm. Reviewing the process now can help familiarize you with the overall steps to prevent surprises later.
Each insurance company and policy is different. You will want to find out how to file a claim with your insurance company (online, over the phone, etc.) and what information they need to start the claim before a storm hits. Bookmark the website, save the phone numbers and keep this information handy.
Step 5: Avoid Storm Damage Claim Problems
Step five of preparing for storm season includes understanding how to prevent problems once your home has sustained damage. Having served Oklahoma City homeowners for over a decade, we’ve seen a thing or two regarding storm damage! More importantly, we’ve seen how crazy things can get for homeowners. Below are the most common problems we see homeowners face and ways you can avoid them this storm season.
Costly Repairs From Ignoring Damage
It’s easy to spot hail damage to a car but not so easy when looking at a roof from the ground. Without obvious signs of damage like missing shingles or holes in the ceiling, some homeowners will go years without a roof inspection. Any existing hail damage will worsen during that time and cause roof leaks. By the time homeowners call us, the cost to repair the storm damage can be double or triple what it would have been to fix it early on. To make matters worse, some insurance companies have time limits, meaning homeowners must pay out of pocket for repairs.
It is always in a homeowner’s best interest to get a proper storm damage inspection after a severe weather event.
Denied Claims Due To Pre-Existing Damage
As we mentioned earlier, some insurance companies may require proof of routine maintenance. Without it, filing a claim can feel like a “he said, she said” type of argument on when the damage occurred.
Getting a pre-storm roof and home inspection will prevent this from happening.
All of our inspections are done by expertly trained team members and include a report on any findings. If your home is in great condition, we make sure that the information is listed! This report can come in handy later should you need to provide documentation for your insurance company.
Claim Delays
Catastrophic storms can impact a lot of people all at the same time. It’s not uncommon for there to be delays in speaking with your adjuster, getting an inspection, or being able to make repairs. While you can’t avoid this situation, you can plan ahead by knowing who to call and when.
Have your insurance policy handy, know how to start a claim, and have a contractor already picked out before storms hit.
Preparing for storm season can pay off in the long run! Should your home suffer damage after a storm, you’ll already know who to call and how to start a claim. This can put you at the front of the line and prevent you from having to wait.
Roof Scams
Oklahoma receives several rounds of severe storms each and every year. This makes it a hot spot for out-of-town contractors and scammers. Save yourself the hassle of getting ripped off by pre-selecting a contractor now. What types of roof scams should you watch out for?
Bad Experience With A Contractor
Choosing the first local contractor that pops up in a Google search may not be the best idea, especially after a round of severe weather. You’ll want to ensure the contractor you choose has experience inspecting storm damage and a track record of successfully managing jobs. Otherwise, you could end up dealing with an unresponsive sales rep, zero communication, rushed projects, and mistakes.
At Triple Diamond Construction, our 30+ member team is dedicated to helping homeowners prepare for storm season in Oklahoma. We go the extra mile to ensure homeowners are taken care of by assigning a dedicated Account Manager to every project and giving access to a secure, online communication portal. We believe transparent communication is the key to a successful outcome and that’s something you can count on when you choose us for your roofing project! When preparing for storm season, put our phone number in your phone to keep in handy in a roofing emergency!
FAQs About Preparing For Storm Season
Homeowners often have questions related to the storm damage repair process. To help, we’ve listed the most common ones we receive below.
Is hail damage worth fixing?
YES! Your home is likely your largest investment and fixing hail damage should be a priority. Without repairs, you open your home up to the possibility of expensive roof leaks, mold, and other costly repairs. Lingering hail damage could also impact your ability to sell your home in the future.
How long do you have to file a hail damage claim?
The time limit to file a hail damage claim can vary based on the insurance policy and the insurance company. Reviewing your coverage before storms hit is the best way to start preparing for storm season.
Will filing a storm damage claim increase my insurance rates?
While it’s unlikely one claim will increase your rates, the reality is that it mainly depends on the insurance company and how many claims have been filed in the past.
Should I wait to fix the damage until the storm season is over?
We don’t recommend this when preparing for storm season. Existing damage reduces your home’s overall protection and could worsen it – often doubling or tripling the cost of repairs.
About Triple Diamond Construction
Having served Oklahoma City homeowners for over ten years, we’ve seen just about every problem that goes along with hail storms and tornadoes. We hope sharing our tips on preparing for storm season keeps you (and your home) stay safe. If you have questions, want to schedule a pre-storm inspection, or are interested in learning more, then contact us today!
