With record snowfall and winter storms leaving a trail of damage across the nation, countless homes and businesses have taken a beating this cold weather season. Incidents of roof collapse are just one of the unfortunate realities many policyholders are facing, and must be quickly addressed and handled with the utmost care.
Next Steps After a Property Roof Collapse
It’s important to immediately vacate the property without going back inside as much as possible. The structural damage caused by the collapse could have a ripple effect on other parts of your home or building. The integrity of the structural system needs to be carefully assessed and an estimate provided to ensure roofing and structural stabilization is regained and proper reinforcements are made.
A roof collapse could result in leaks from broken gas lines and damaged electrical wiring. Roofing structures typically contain critical infrastructural exhaust flues and vent pipes built into the property’s HVAC system. It’s important to make arrangements right away for an alternative place to stay or conduct business until the property is safe to re-occupy.
Roof Collapse Tips
It’s easy to feel helpless as a policyholder facing this unfortunate situation. However, there are some action steps you can take to do your part in the recovery process.
1. Document the Damage — If it’s possible and safe to do so, try to take as many photos and videos as you can immediately following the damage. This helps you have additional images when interacting with your insurance company or public adjuster. Having as much evidence on hand as possible protects you from your insurance claim denying accurate payout for damages sustained.
2. Review your Policy — Go through your insurance policy and highlight any areas you don’t understand or need clarification on. Keep all correspondence with your insurance company documented.
3. Don’t Assume — Don’t make assumptions on what is or is not covered by your current insurance policy. Although most weather-related property damage is covered, certain stipulations may apply, restricting your coverage eligibility.
4. Contact a Public Adjuster — Consider contacting a qualified public adjuster to step in on your behalf and manage the outcome of your claim with your insurance company.
SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc. Advocates Only for the Insured’s Benefit
SunPoint Public Adjusters, Inc. (“SunPoint”) is the “Gold Standard” of the Public Adjusting industry. We comprehensively review and evaluate your insurance settlement, immediately deploy a team of specialists to assess and quantify your damages, and customize a strategy around your personal recovery to promptly and properly maximize the resolution of your claim.
Our in-house experts and external veteran professionals are experienced in quantifying and negotiating building, personal property, inventory, or other additional coverages. We work solely on your behalf to favorably resolve your claim. Our team ensures your insurance company does not delay, diminish, or deny benefits that are rightfully owed to you. Industry authorities agree that having a public adjuster like SunPoint on your side early in the process expedites and maximizes your recovery.
Policyholders have been benefiting from our knowledge and advocacy for decades. We have handled, managed, and successfully navigated claims ranging from homeowner losses; corporate losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars; disaster losses involving government entities and entire municipalities; agricultural and recall losses, and virtually any type of disaster claim that could be imagined.
Our team of Public Adjusters, building cost consultants, inventory specialists, forensic accountants, and equipment consultants are unmatched in our industry. It is easy to be big. But it takes dedication every day to be the best – we have that dedication. Our goal is aligned with yours. To obtain a free insurance settlement assessment of your specific circumstances and recovery please contact us and strategize your optimal means of recovery.