In the case of Austin commercial roofing insurance claims, business owners find themselves in one of two situations:
- Their insurance company readily handles their claim, covers all costs as per the coverage, and operations get back to normal as quickly as possible.
- Their insurance company pushes back on the claim from the start. Thus keeping the business from getting back to normal operation as quickly as possible. They often refuse coverage based on their assessment of perceived roof damage.
The second scenario has started becoming a much more common occurrence, unfortunately, and to the despair of many insureds.
This also has to do with the uptick in popularity for metal roofs in general. In recent years, metal roofing panels have become a go-to construction material for commercial projects because of their durability, low maintenance, and resilience to the elements. Advances in technology have made their manufacturing much more precise, their methods of installation varied to cater to different applications, and an overall better product.
Metal roofs are also a bigger investment upfront than other roofing materials. This, in turn, means that should something happen to the roof, insurance companies are on the hook for a big replacement bill. And if there is one thing to know about insurance companies, it is that they do their best to NOT have to pay out claims.
When it comes to Austin commercial metal roofing insurance claims, business owners are in a bind. Whenever there is any kind of weather that rolls through, they need to be sure to get their property checked out if anything may have been compromised. This includes the following:
Damage Identification
Damage such as denting, cracks, and punctures from either hail or fallen limbs is easy to identify. Even the layperson can pick those out. However, it takes an experienced contractor proficient in assessing minute details to identify damage that may not be readily visible. This then introduces the major role of terms in one’s insurance policy such as cosmetic damage and its contrast to functional damage.
Functional damage corresponds to the visible issues an inspection will identify easily. Cosmetic damage has to do with the damage that is visible but not considered structurally damaged. Did you know that with metal roofs, damage may be invisible to the naked eye from one angle, but from another direction looks really bad? It’s important to thoroughly inspect the roof from all angles.
For many insurance companies, they consider dents in metal panels to be cosmetic. There is no crack or other compromise to the material, thereby the panel is still working as it ‘should’. However, an experienced metal roofing specialist will note that pooling water over time will introduce rust. This impacts the integrity of the panel, leading to severe damage in the future.
An Insurance Adjuster and a Professional Inspection
Business owners need to be sure to cover all their bases. When filing their insurance claim, they need to have as much information on record as possible. Documentation is their best friend and most welcome ally when it comes to getting all of the necessary money for repairs. This may mean conflicting reports from an insurance adjuster who is looking for (and not looking for) certain damage, as well as an experienced third-party contractor who is well-versed in all things metal roofing. The three most important words that business owners must keep in mind during the process are: time is essential.
At the end of the day, smart business owners filing Austin commercial metal roofing insurance claims must have someone on their side. THR Roofing Solutions is a Texas-based company that prides itself on its advocacy for clients. Our goal is to make sure all damages are fully repaired, including all parts of the property that were impacted. Click here to see some of our most recent work and call us today for a free consultation.
