Storm Damage Claims
Don’t Miss the One-Year Window
By Pro Roofers
Attention Middle Tennessee Homeowners: Did you know you typically have only one year to file an insurance claim for roof damage from a storm? It’s true – waiting too long could cost you big. In this post, we’ll explain why timely action is crucial after storm damage, using the May 26, 2024 Murfreesboro storm as an example (you must file by May 26, 2025!). We’ll also share how storm damage can go unnoticed and why getting a professional roof inspection is so important. As a roofing contractor in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood and surrounding areas – we’re serious about helping you protect your home. Let’s dive in!
One Year to File Your Storm Damage Insurance Claim
Insurance policies often give homeowners one year from the date of a storm to file a claim for roof damage. That might sound like plenty of time, but it can fly by. For instance, if your home in Murfreesboro was hit by the May 26, 2024 hail storm, you have until May 26, 2025 to submit your claim. After that, your insurer may refuse to cover the damage. Most insurance companies stick to this one-year rule for storm claims. (Some policies even have shorter deadlines, so always double-check yours!) Mark your calendar with the storm date and don’t delay starting the claims process.
One year is the standard for Middle Tennessee storm damage claims, especially for hail and wind. This means if a storm damaged your roof last spring, you need to act before that same date comes around this year.
Why one year? Insurance companies set these deadlines to prevent very old damage from being claimed. In Tennessee, the general statute of limitations for contract claims is longer (up to 6 years), but homeowner’s insurance policies override that with their own timeline.
Why Timely Action Is Crucial
Filing your claim as soon as possible is crucial for a few reasons. First, if you miss the deadline, your insurance claim will likely be denied – no questions asked. Imagine discovering a leak or serious roof issue after that window closes; you’d be stuck paying for all the repairs out of pocket. Ouch! Missing the one-year filing period could mean losing out on thousands of dollars of insurance coverage, essentially leaving you to fund a new roof or major repairs yourself.
Secondly, insurance companies expect prompt reporting. If you wait many months to report damage, they might question whether the roof damage came from the storm in question or from a lack of maintenance. Filing early avoids any grey areas. It also gets the ball rolling on repairs faster, protecting your home from further problems. Storm damage can worsen over time – a small shingle crack can turn into a leak after a few more rainstorms. By acting quickly, you’ll get the damage fixed sooner, preventing mold growth, wood rot, or interior drywall damage that could occur if repairs are delayed.
Storm Damage Can Go Unnoticed on Your Roof
One of the biggest reasons homeowners miss that one-year claim window is because they never realized their roof was damaged in the first place. It’s all too easy to overlook storm damage. After a storm, you might do a quick glance at your roof from the driveway and think everything looks fine – no obvious missing shingles, no leaks in the attic. But here’s the catch: hail and wind damage isn’t always obvious to the untrained eye.
In fact, homeowners are often clueless that they have hail damage right away. It’s often only discovered when a roofing professional or even a door-to-door “storm chaser” points it out. Hail can cause subtle bruises to asphalt shingles or dents in metal flashing that you wouldn’t notice from the ground. Wind can loosen shingles or lift up flashing just slightly, so things appear normal until the next heavy rain finds its way in. By then, months could have passed.
Hidden signs of storm damage that can go unnoticed include:
- Bruised or Dented Shingles: Hailstones can hit shingles hard, leaving behind soft spots or tiny dimples. The shingle’s protective granules get knocked off, which shortens its lifespan. These bruises might not cause a leak immediately, but they are a problem.
- Granules in Gutters: After a hailstorm, check your gutters and downspouts. Excessive asphalt granules (those sand-like bits from your shingles) in the runoff are a red flag. It means hail pelted your roof and knocked granules loose, even if you can’t see damage on the shingle surface.
- Lifted or Creased Shingles: Strong winds (like those we see in Franklin and Brentwood summer storms) can lift shingles up and then drop them back down. The shingle may reseat, but the sealant strip could be broken. A lifted shingle might have a crease or tear that’s hard to spot from the ground. Later, that shingle can fly off in the next storm or allow water underneath.
- Damaged Flashing and Vents: Hail and wind can also crack or warp the metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges. Hail might even leave dents in metal roof vents such as box vents and turbine vents.
These issues aren’t obvious unless you climb up for a closer look.
As you can see, a roof can take a beating from a storm without obvious symptoms at first glance. You might not notice anything until a slow leak creates a water spot on your ceiling – which could be weeks or months after the storm. By then, if a year has passed, it’s too late to claim that storm as the cause. This is why we urge homeowners in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, and all over Middle Tennessee: don’t assume your roof is fine just because you don’t see damage. Get it checked!
Professional Roof Inspections Are Essential
Even when there’s no obvious leak, a professional roof inspection can uncover storm damage that homeowners might miss. Our Murfreesboro roof inspection team has climbed up on countless roofs after Middle Tennessee storms, and we find issues all the time that aren’t visible from the ground. It’s our job and our expertise to spot things like hail bruises, loose shingles, and torn flashing.
Here’s why getting an inspection done by a professional is so important:
Expert Eyes: A trained roofing inspector knows exactly what to look for and where. We’ve seen how hail hits can bruise shingles or how wind gusts peel up edges. What might look like a normal shingle to you could show clear impact marks to us.
Safety: Climbing on a roof is dangerous for an untrained homeowner. We do it safely with the right equipment. Don’t risk your neck trying to inspect it yourself – let professionals handle it.
Documentation for Claims: If we find damage, we can provide photos and a detailed report. This is incredibly helpful when filing an insurance claim for roof damage. Solid documentation can make the claims process smoother with your insurer.
Peace of Mind: If we check your roof and find no storm damage, that’s great news! You get peace of mind knowing your home is in good shape. And if we do find damage, you’ll be glad to know early so you can take action before the claim deadline or before the next storm makes it worse.
Many reputable roofing companies offer free roof inspections for storm damage – ourselves included. It’s a no-lose proposition for you. You get a professional assessment at no cost. We’ve helped homeowners all over Middle Tennessee – from Brentwood and Franklin to Murfreesboro and beyond – discover hidden storm damage and navigate their insurance claims. Even if the big May 2024 storm missed your neighborhood, Middle Tennessee sees plenty of severe weather. It’s wise to get an inspection after any major hail or wind event to be safe.
Don’t Wait – Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection Today!
Time is ticking if your home was affected by last year’s storms. Timely action is the key to getting your roof damage covered. You have a limited window to make that insurance claim, and every day that passes is one day closer to the deadline (remember, Murfreesboro folks with May 26, 2024 damage – your deadline is May 26, 2025!). Don’t lie awake at night worrying or second-guessing – let us help you figure it out.
Call Professional Roofers, Inc. today for a free storm damage roof inspection. Our friendly, professional team will come out to your home in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood or any Middle Tennessee community and give your roof a thorough check-up. If we find damage, we’ll guide you on the next steps, including how to file the insurance claim and what to expect. If we don’t find damage, you can breathe easy knowing your roof is in good shape.
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