Documenting hail damage crucial after storms

Oklahoman’s know a lot about storm damage.  If you grew up in Oklahoma, you know how destructive Oklahoma storms can be.  And they can hit in a moment’s notice.  Storms can be devastating to a business.  And the financial loss as a result of that damage depends on how you respond immediately following the storm.

There are many factors to take into consideration when filing a storm damage claim with your insurance company.  There are no industry standards, and a lot depends on the roofing materials used and the severity of the storm/size of the hail.  And without proper documentation and a thorough damage analysis provided by a reliable commercial roofing company, most insurance companies overlook a lot of these factors.  

“Not only do you need to report damage in a timely manner, you also need to know what you are reporting,” said Denver Green, President of Saratoga Roofing & Construction.  Green said, “There are so many things to take into consideration, the age and condition of your roof, as well as the size and impact of the hail.  These are all things that can be identified and documented by a roofing company who specializes in commercial roofing systems.”

According to RICOWI, Inc. (Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc.), one thing to look for is hailstone size (and reluctant impact energy).  That is more critical than hailstone quantity in determining if a roof is damaged.  The effects of hail impact are normally distinguishable from normal weathering.  Impact-caused fractures in roofing materials will sometimes have appearances that are distinct from cracking or other indications of long-term weathering.  Through proper investigation, including in-depth damage analysis reports, a contractor can compile the necessary data needed to substantiate their findings and present it to your insurance company.

Times have changed.  It’s no longer the standard to file a storm damage claim on your business and expect to be reimbursed at fair market value for your loss.  You need a qualified commercial roofing expert to assist your insurance company in properly investigating and educating them on the various types of roofing systems and how different size hail and high winds impact those systems.

Green said, “My advice to all business owners, make sure you respond quickly and have a qualified local commercial roofing company, with significant experience in large scale commercial application, that you trust there to help investigate and document storm damage.  The better you know your roof (age, installation method, condition of your roof) the better chance you will have recovering any financial loss and getting your business back up and running.  Make sure that your contractor can and will provide a detailed written analysis.”