In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, many in the Knoxville area are scrambling to get the exterior of their home inspected and repaired. If you are one of the many property owners whose roof didn’t make it through, you might be wondering if your roof is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Although there isn’t a blanket “yes” or “no” answer, in general, most storm and high wind damage is covered. The only way to know for sure, however, is to check your policy. Before you file a claim for storm damage, these are things to look for.
Missing Shingles
If you are missing shingles due to Hurricane Helene, then your roof needs to be repaired. Whether that means a quick repair or an entirely new roof, depends on the amount and type of damage. Missing shingles due to high winds and storms are typically covered under your homeowner’s insurance. They are also something that you will want to take images of and document for your claim.
Broken or Cracked Shingles
During high winds, tree branches and other flying debris can do damage to your roof. When something hits the top of your roof, it can lead to broken and cracked shingles. Once more, those cracks and breaks need to be addressed immediately. Although it might seem like minor damage, when your roof has vulnerabilities, it can lead to roof leaks. If you ignore minor damage, it most certainly will lead to major damage. Also, you might not be able to trace it back to the storm if you don’t document and report it!
Leaking Roof
If you notice signs that your roof is leaking after Hurricane Helene, there is a good chance that it will be covered. Ceiling damage is almost always caused by damage to your Knoxville home. If you do see water stains inside your home, it is imperative that you act quickly. Water spots can lead to mildew and mold growth, which will complicate things and lead to a host of other concerns. Report and document any water stains or active leaks with images and contact a roofing company immediately!
Flashing Damage
Roof flashing is found in peaks and valleys where water is most likely to cause damage. If you see signs that your flashing is leaking, then it might or might not be covered. Most likely, however, if the damage is seen following Helene or any other major storm, it will be. The best way to know for sure if yours is storm-related is by contacting a roofing company to check for signs of storm-related damage for documentation purposes.
As we clean up from the damage left by Hurricane Helene, many property owners are wondering if their exterior damage is covered under the homeowner’s insurance. Although we can’t say for sure that it is, most storm-related damage is within the scope of your homeowner’s policy. The only way to know for sure is to have Roof Savers of East TN inspect your roof to look for and document signs for your insurance claim. Contact us today and make sure to have the proper documentation for the best likelihood of having your claim approved!
