Hail Damage and Insurance Claims: Fortress Roofing Skip to content

Hail Damage & Insurance Claims

If you live near Calgary, the MD of Foothills, and even as far north as Red Deer, hail storms and high winds are unfortunately a regular part of summer. When severe thunderstorms hit home, navigating the world of insurance claims can be a daunting task. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether or not damage has occurred or who to call when it does. At Fortress Roofing Calgary, hail, and wind-related insurance claims are one of our specialties. We can help you to navigate the insurance process to ensure your claim is handled correctly from the beginning.

I've Been Hit! What Do I Do?

Step 1: Contact your Insurance Provider

If you suspect that your roof or other exteriors have suffered storm damage of any kind, call your insurance company right away!  Most insurance companies work on a first come first serve basis and they receive thousands of calls during storm ‘catastrophes’; the closer you are to the front of the line, the faster your claim will be handled.  

When you contact your insurance company they will schedule an adjuster to inspect the damages done to your property and determine if you have an eligible claim.  You may also have the option of having a qualified third-party inspector like Fortress Roofing & Exteriors complete the initial damage inspection.

Our Inspectors are HAAG Certified which is a requirement of most Alberta Insurance companies when determining whether hail or wind damages are severe enough to make a claim.  We can also help advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive all the coverage you are eligible for, which can sometimes be missed or overlooked by insurance adjusters that don’t have direct construction experience.

Step 2: Notify your Insurance Company of any Emergency Repairs

Inspect the damages and if you notice any potential for your roof to begin leaking, notify your insurance company right away. They will provide you with a company that can complete these repairs right away to avoid further damage to the home.

Step 3: Speak with your Adjustor about the Damages

Once your insurance company's adjuster has visited your property and completed their assessment, they will go over the damages with you and provide an estimate for the cost to repair your roof, siding, and any other aspect of your home that's been damaged. They will then provide this assessment to the roofing contractor that is hired to complete the repairs.

Step 4: Secure a Contractor to Complete the Repairs

Your insurance company will have a "preferred contractor" that will offer additional warranty options as well as help ensure that you have adequate liability insurance. However, depending on your insurance company's policies, you can also choose a contractor if you want to. It's important to note that you should always make sure that the contractor you choose has all of the proper skills, employees, and policies in place to perform the job.

Step 5: Confirm your Estimate

Any estimate you receive should be reviewed and confirmed by a professional in the industry. This could be the company that is hired to do the repairs, a friend or family member, or an additional third party. All of the damage to your roof should be covered as any leftover damage can wreak havoc on your home. It's extremely important to make sure every aspect of your roof is repaired in full to avoid future damages and stress.

Step 6: Sign the Contract and Begin Repairs

Any estimate you receive should be reviewed and confirmed by a professional in the industry. This could be the company that is hired to do the repairs, a friend or family member, or an additional third party. All of the damage to your roof should be covered as any leftover damage can wreak havoc on your home. It's extremely important to make sure every aspect of your roof is repaired in full to avoid future damages and stress.

Any changes to your home's design should also be considered and agreed upon in the contract. This includes any new products or colours that are being introduced into your home's exterior design.

I Have An Approved Claim, What Happens Next?

Once your claim has been approved by your insurance company you usually have two options to choose from:

Have the damages repaired through a preferred vendor that the insurance company works with.  Usually, when you work with the insurance company’s preferred contractor you will have a warranty on work through both the insurance company and the contractor, providing a little extra peace of mind.  You will also have the support of your insurance company throughout the construction process should you have any problems with the assigned contractor.

Contact a full-service company (like Fortress) to complete the repairs within the guidelines of the quote that was already prepared.  This is always an option and fully within your right as a homeowner – you do not have to work with your insurance company’s preferred vendor! The benefit of this option is that you can choose which company you work with based on key factors such as how long they have been in business, what their customer reviews say, their offered warranty period, and more.  In some cases, you may be able to have your deductible partially or completely waived, depending on the size of your claim.

At Fortress Roofing & Exteriors we can handle all aspects of your insurance claim, from inspection to completion of work.  We offer full exterior services related to exterior hail and wind damage including roofing, siding, soft metals, windows, painting, garage doors, and more so you only have to deal with one company throughout the entire rebuilding process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I have hail damage?

Some signs that your property may have hail damage include:  large loss of shingle granules or pieces of shingles immediately following a hailstorm; splits in wood shakes and/or siding; hail ‘pock’ marks (dark spots scattered over the area of roof most exposed to the hail) dents in vents and/or soft metal flashings on your roof or on your eavestrough, fascia, and other flashings; holes in the siding (this one is the most obvious).  If any of these signs are present on your home, it is likely you have hail damage that could result in an insurance claim.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Most insurance companies allow between 12 and 24 months after a storm to file your claim. While that may sound like a long time, keep in mind that there may be damages that you cant see from the ground that could lead to other issues such as leaks.  It's always best to contact your insurance company right away

Can I save my deductible?

In some circumstances, if you have a large enough claim, the company you hire may be able to waive your deductible or part of it.  This is only the case when you are responsible for paying the deductible portion directly to the contractor you hire. Sometimes insurance rates are a bit higher than regular retail rates for the work that is completed, allowing the company you hire to waive that portion of the fee.  Ask us if this may be an option for you!

Is there a way to keep some of my claim money to pay for my kid's braces or my next vacation?

Technically, yes! You often will have the option to ‘cash out’ on your insurance claim, and in that circumstance, you are free to do the work yourself, hire whoever you want, or even choose not to complete the work at all.  The danger in going this route is that if your work is done incorrectly or is not done at all, that area of your property may not be covered by insurance if future damages occur. In some cases, your insurance company may even cancel your entire policy if you have existing damages that have not been repaired as these damages could lead to water leaks or other issues down the road.  It is always best to hire a professional, reputable roofing company to complete repairs.

My roof and siding is really old – can I still make a claim?

Most insurance companies in Alberta will not award a claim if your roof or damaged exterior is already at its life expectancy.  If your roof or siding is getting older, however, you may still be eligible for a partial claim, less depreciation based on the age of your home’s exterior.  If hail damages older construction, contact your insurance company to see if you may still be eligible for a partial claim.

Contact Fortress To Help With Your Claim!

We are happy to help you navigate your insurance claim from start to finish. Our friendly and experienced staff are available to answer any questions you may have along the way. Contact us today for help with your wind or hail damage claim at 403-264-7844!

Call for a free estimate

Drop us a line today for a free quote!

Locations We Serve:

  • Calgary
  • Millarville
  • Bragg Creek
  • Black Diamond
  • Okotoks
  • High River
  • Airdrie
  • Canmore
  • Cochrane
  • Langdon
  • Red Deer
  • Olds
  • Chestermere
  • Priddis
  • Turner Valley

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE

Fill out the form below for new quotes and our team will get in touch right away.