Living in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City area has a lot of benefits. But one drawback for a lot of people is the weather. This means periodically dealing with damage to your roof from storms and hail. And while that’s fairly easy to understand, the insurance process afterward often isn’t. We can help you through it. Set up a free consultation today.
Why Is Hail Such a Problem for Roofs in Tulsa and Oklahoma City?
If you’ve lived in Oklahoma for any amount of time, you already know that severe storms are part of the deal. And when those storms bring hail with them, your roof can take a pretty serious beating. But that doesn’t necessarily answer the question of why, even though it’s also not necessarily that complicated. Here’s why there’s so many hail-related roof damage claims here:
- Oklahoma gets a lot of severe storms. Tulsa and Oklahoma City regularly see storms that can bring large hail and strong winds.
- One storm can damage a lot of homes. Hail doesn’t just affect one house. A single storm can move through several neighborhoods and leave a lot of homeowners dealing with roof damage at the same time.
- The damage isn’t always easy to see. Some hail damage can be difficult to spot without getting the roof inspected.
- Storms can add to existing damage. If your roof has already taken a beating from previous storms, another round of hail can make the problem worse.
- Roof repairs aren’t cheap. Even what looks like relatively minor damage can turn into a much bigger repair or replacement.
That’s why a major hailstorm in Tulsa or Oklahoma City can quickly turn into a lot of insurance claims. But that’s also usually where the process starts to get even more frustrating.
How Insurance Companies Look at Roof Damage Claims From Hail
Just because a hailstorm came through doesn’t mean your insurance company is automatically going to agree that everything you see on your roof was caused by that storm. A lot of the time, the disagreement comes down to what caused the damage. Your insurance company can argue that the damage comes from:
- Wear and tear
- Pre-existing damage
- Poor installation or problems from previous repairs
This can leave you stuck in the middle, especially when your roofing contractor says you have hail damage and the insurance company’s adjuster says something different. At that point, it comes down to what information you have to show that the damage was indeed hail-related. Here’s what you can use:
- The date and time of the hailstorm.
- Weather reports showing that hail was reported in your area around the time of the storm.
- Before and after pictures of your roof and other damaged areas as soon as you can after the storm. This gives you a record of what your roof looked like before the storm and right after.
- A roof inspection from your contractor that can explain what damage they found and whether it’s consistent with the hailstorm.
- A repair estimate that breaks down what was damaged, what needs to be repaired or replaced, and how much those repairs might cost.
- Previous inspection or repair records, especially if the insurance company says that the damage was pre-existing.
- Interior damage from leaks, water stains, or other problems after the storm.
- Copies of any inspections or reports from the insurance company.
Like any insurance claim, the company has a lot of control. But that doesn’t mean you just have to accept whatever they say, particularly when you have this documentation at your disposal. It’s ultimately going to come down to how well you can show the damage was hail-related, but it’s also worth looking into having someone on your side to negotiate for you.
Ylla Gosney Can Help You With a Hail Damage Claim in Tulsa or Oklahoma City
Not every hail damage claim needs a lawyer. But anyone that’s ever had to deal with an insurance company knows how complicated and difficult it can be—even if it’s your own insurance company and the hail damage to your roof seems obvious.
That’s when it can make sense to have someone take a closer look at what’s happening, and that’s where our team at Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can help you by:
- Reviewing your insurance policy and the company’s position on your claim.
- Looking at the evidence showing what caused the damage.
- Reviewing the insurance company’s estimate and how it reached that number.
- Working with the insurance company toward a more fair resolution.
- Taking further steps when that’s necessary.
Hail is simply part of living in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and other parts of Oklahoma. Unfortunately, dealing with the insurance company after a storm can sometimes be almost as frustrating as the storm itself. It doesn’t have to be, though. Set up a free consultation with our team and let us handle the back-and-forth for you.