Filing a roof damage insurance claim: A step-by-step guide

The bad news: A storm rolled through and damaged your roof. You can't tell if it needs replacement, but at the bare minimum, you see areas where it needs repair. The good news: Once you call your insurance company, the claims process for a covered event shouldn't take long unless a major storm has impacted many other homes in your area.

Filing a claim involves a few steps, but the process isn't complicated. Homeowners typically hear from an insurance adjuster within a couple of days after contacting their agent. Here's what to look for to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Streamline your claim process

Start by looking for signs of roof damage and documenting them. Take photos or videos showing where the roof has issues. Note the time and dates when the damage occurred and what caused it, like a wind or hail storm. Speaking with Yahoo Local, John Shawareb, owner of OKC Insurance Brokers in Oklahoma City, Okla., said you typically hear from the insurance adjuster within 48 hours of calling your agent. When you conduct your inspection, Shawareb suggests looking for the following:

• Curled, cracked or dented shingles

• Damaged gutters and downspouts

• Dings and dents on your garage door, window shutters and screens

• Fallen debris, like tree limbs, on the roof

• Granule loss from the shingles — check the gutters, where the granules tend to collect

• Missing shingles

"Photos that show both the full roof and close-up damage make it easier for adjusters to understand what happened," said Andrew McCallum, vice president of catastrophe and flood at Sedgwick , a company that helps insurance carriers review and process claims.

Roofing professionals say homeowners should not be discouraged if damage isn't obvious right away. "A lot of serious damage isn't visible from the ground," said Shane Lynch, president of Storm Guard Roofing and Construction , a national roofer based in Texas.

While exterior damage is often the first concern, it's also important to look inside the home. Kathy Kuras, claims manager for Insurance Agencies, Inc. in Northfield, N.J., told Yahoo Local that you should check for interior damage, such as leaks in the attic and stains on the ceilings or walls. Document damage to your belongings since homeowner's insurance will cover their replacement. Kuras also suggested taking pictures of your roof before a bad storm, if one is predicted, for proof that the damage is recent.

Depending on the extent of the damage, Shawareb said you can start repairs yourself or hire a roofing company immediately. Save your receipts, because your homeowner's insurance may reimburse you. However, you should avoid significant repairs until your claim has been approved, Kuras added. You can also call a roofing company to inspect the damage and make temporary repairs, like adding a tarp to prevent rain from coming in and ruining anything inside.

"Waiting too long to get it checked or making temporary repairs that aren't documented can complicate insurance claims," Lynch said.

Kuras said you should save hotel receipts if your home suffered extensive damage in a storm and you must stay at one. Likewise, save receipts for replacing any damaged furniture and other belongings. Also keep copies of written correspondence about your claim and log phone calls with their date, who you talked to and what you discussed.

Talking to the insurance adjuster and roofing company

Kuras suggests calling your insurance agent first because they'll guide you through the steps you must take and confirm your deductible and coverage. "Some policies have higher deductibles on different perils depending on where you live," she said. "You may have an additional 1% of building value added to a deductible for wind damage if you live along the coast."

Kuras said the process, once you've called your agent, is pretty simple. It is as follows:

• Your insurance agent files the claim.

• The insurer assigns an adjuster and schedules an inspection.

• The adjuster reviews the damage and determines coverage.

• You receive an estimate and deductible details in writing.

• You share the estimate with your roofing contractor to confirm repair costs.

When it's time for the inspection, Shawareb suggests scheduling the insurance adjuster and roofing company representative simultaneously, if possible. They can review the damage together so they're on the same page. If not, that's okay, but make sure you specifically request a storm damage roof inspection when you call the roofing company.

The roofer will use a checklist to identify and mark signs of wind, hail and other storm damage to your gutters and shingles. The inspection will check for missing, lifted or creased shingles caused by wind and hail damage, like dents and dings that damage the shingles' structural integrity. The roofer will also check the condition of your roof flashing and vents.

"If a roofing company thinks a repair or replacement will cost more, you can resubmit the roofer's estimate to the insurance adjuster and request a review," Kuras said. "If you ask, some roofing companies will take care of this step. They will negotiate until both sides agree on a price for the work."

She estimates that it typically takes between 30 and 60 days to get a claim settlement, though timing can depend on several factors, including the damage amount, the state where you live and the extent of the claims. If, for example, a large storm damages many homes, it may take longer for the insurance company to address all the claims.

Factors that affect roof-damage claim amounts

Your insurance company uses multiple factors to calculate any reimbursement, including the degree of damage, your roof's size and age, and the current shingle type. Your policy's deductible is another factor, including higher amounts if you live in areas prone to specific perils. Insurance companies in Washington, D.C., and 19 other states add hurricane deductibles to their policies, according to Forbes .

The deductible is a set percentage of your home's insured value, whether it's 1%, 2% or 5%, said Kuras. You may have a set $1,000 deductible for most covered perils, but if you live somewhere affected by high winds, your deductible for that specific peril may be higher. For example, if your property is valued at $500,000, you might have to pay a $5,000 wind damage deductible (1% of the property value) if your roof needs replacement.

See more Yahoo Local-approved U.S. roofers

Best California roofers

Bakersfield / Fresno / Los Angeles San Diego / San Jose / San Francisco

Best Florida roofers

Cape Coral / Clearwater / Fort Lauderdale / Fort Myers / Jacksonville / Lakeland / Miami / Orlando / Pensacola / Sarasota / St. Augustine / St. Petersburg / Tallahassee / Tampa / West Palm Beach

Best New York roofers

Brooklyn / Buffalo / New York City / Rochester / Staten Island

Best Texas roofers

Arlington / Austin / Conroe / Dallas / Fort Worth / Houston / Katy / Lubbock / San Antonio / Sugar Land / Tyler

• Best national roofers in the U.S.

• See all Yahoo Local roofing