When a severe storm rips through Western North Carolina, the aftermath can be overwhelming. As Asheville residents, we’re no strangers to the sudden mountain thunderstorms, wind events, and occasional winter ice that can wreak havoc on our homes – particularly our roofs. At Lane Roofing and Restoration, we’ve helped countless neighbors navigate the complex process of maximizing their insurance claims after storm damage.
The Blue Ridge Mountains create a unique weather pattern across our region that can intensify storm damage in ways many insurance adjusters from outside the area might not fully understand. Our local knowledge of Asheville’s microclimates – from the higher elevations around Town Mountain to the valleys near the French Broad River – gives us insight into how storm damage manifests differently across our community.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage Before Disaster Strikes
Many homeowners don’t realize what their insurance actually covers until they’re filing a claim. This can lead to unexpected out-of-pocket expenses during an already stressful time.
The first step in maximizing any future claim is knowing your policy details today. Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies in the Asheville area cover sudden and accidental damage from specific perils, including wind, hail, falling trees, and weight of ice and snow – all common culprits for roof damage in our mountain region.
However, policies differ significantly in their coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Some may have special stipulations for roof damage based on the age of your roof or specific materials used. Others might have wind/hail deductibles that are higher than your standard deductible.
Take time now to review your policy or call your agent with specific questions about roof damage coverage. Ask about:
- Replacement cost value (RCV) vs. actual cash value (ACV) coverage
- Age-based depreciation schedules for roofing materials
- Special deductibles for wind or hail events
- Coverage for emergency temporary repairs
- Any exclusions specific to roofing systems
Immediate Steps After Storm Damage
When storm damage occurs to your Asheville home, the clock starts ticking. Insurance companies typically require prompt notification, and delays can potentially affect your claim. Here’s what to do right away:
Document everything. Take detailed photos and videos of all visible damage – not just to your roof but to gutters, siding, windows, and personal property affected by the roof damage. Asheville’s variable lighting conditions can make damage look different throughout the day, so take photos at different times if possible.
Make temporary repairs only. If safe to do so, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, like covering holes with tarps. Save all receipts for materials purchased. During Asheville’s rainy seasons, this step is particularly crucial as water intrusion can quickly compound the initial damage.
Don’t dispose of damaged items. Keep damaged materials until the insurance adjuster has completed their inspection. This physical evidence strengthens your claim.
Contact a local roofing professional. Before filing your claim, have a reputable Asheville roofing contractor assess the damage. As local experts familiar with our regional weather patterns and building practices, we can identify storm damage that might be overlooked by someone unfamiliar with our area’s specific challenges.
Why Local Expertise Matters for Insurance Claims
Insurance adjusters work with standardized damage assessment protocols, but Asheville homes face unique challenges. Our experience working across Western North Carolina has shown us that having a local advocate makes a significant difference in claim outcomes.
For instance, many Asheville homes built on hillsides or in wooded areas experience combined damage from wind, falling debris, and water runoff patterns that wouldn’t occur in flatter regions. An adjuster unfamiliar with our local building styles might miss how these factors interact to cause more extensive damage than immediately visible.
Additionally, our altitude and exposure to UV radiation affects roofing materials differently than in other parts of North Carolina. We can help explain these nuances to adjusters who might otherwise underestimate replacement costs for our region.
The Claims Process: What to Expect
Filing an insurance claim for roof damage follows several key steps, though the exact process varies by insurance company. Here’s the typical progression:
Initial notification: Contact your insurance company to report the damage. Provide basic information about when the storm occurred and the general nature of the damage. Most companies now offer multiple ways to file – phone, online portal, or mobile app.
Claim assignment: Your insurance company will assign a claim number and an adjuster to your case. In major storm events affecting many Asheville homes simultaneously, there might be delays as adjusters manage high volumes of claims.
Adjuster inspection: The insurance adjuster will schedule a visit to assess the damage firsthand. Having your roofing contractor present during this inspection can be invaluable – they can point out damage the adjuster might miss and explain the technical aspects of necessary repairs.
Claim decision: After the inspection, you’ll receive the adjuster’s findings and an initial payment offer if the damage is covered. This first offer is often lower than what you’ll ultimately need for complete restoration.
Negotiation: This is where having professional support becomes crucial. If the initial offer doesn’t cover the full scope of necessary repairs, your roofing contractor can help document why additional work is needed and the appropriate costs for our Asheville market.
Common Reasons Claims Are Underpaid or Denied
Understanding potential pitfalls can help you avoid them. Here are the most common issues we see with storm damage claims in Asheville:
Pre-existing damage: Insurance covers sudden, accidental damage – not wear and tear. If your roof already had issues before the storm, the insurance company may deny coverage for those portions. Regular maintenance and inspections help prevent this problem.
Missed damage: Adjusters typically spend limited time on your property and may miss damage that isn’t immediately obvious. This is particularly true with wind damage to architectural shingles common on Asheville homes, where lifted shingles might not be apparent to untrained eyes.
Incomplete scope of work: Insurance estimates sometimes overlook important components of proper roof restoration, such as underlayment replacement or bringing elements up to current building codes.
Material matching issues: In partial roof replacements, finding exact matches to existing materials can be challenging, especially with discontinued products or weathered materials. Insurance may not initially account for this challenge.
Strategies for Maximizing Your Claim
Based on our experience helping Asheville homeowners through hundreds of storm damage claims, here are proven strategies to ensure you receive fair compensation:
Get a comprehensive damage assessment. Before accepting any insurance settlement, have a thorough inspection done by a contractor experienced with insurance work. At Lane Roofing, we provide detailed documentation that specifically addresses insurance requirements and industry standards.
Request a re-inspection if necessary. If you believe the adjuster missed significant damage, you have the right to request a second look. Having new evidence or expert opinions can support this request.
Understand supplemental claims. Sometimes additional damage is discovered during repairs. When this happens, you can file a supplemental claim for these newly discovered issues. Keep your claim open until all repairs are complete.
Know your rights regarding contractors. In North Carolina, you have the right to choose your own contractor – you’re not required to use one suggested by your insurance company. Working with a trusted local Asheville contractor who understands our regional building requirements is usually in your best interest.
Be persistent but professional. Insurance claim negotiations can take time. Keep detailed records of all communications, follow up regularly, and always remain professional in your interactions with adjusters.
The Value of Contractor Advocacy
Many Asheville homeowners don’t realize that reputable roofing contractors can serve as advocates throughout the claims process. At Lane Roofing, we offer:
Free storm damage assessments to determine if you have an insurance claim worth pursuing.
Documentation services including detailed photos, measurements, and itemized repair requirements that satisfy insurance company expectations.
Adjuster meeting attendance where we can point out damage and explain necessary repairs in technical terms that support your claim.
Claim review assistance to identify any gaps between the insurance offer and the actual work needed to properly restore your roof.
Direct insurance billing options that minimize your out-of-pocket expenses beyond the deductible.
Beyond the Basics: Special Considerations for Asheville Homes
Our unique mountain location presents specific challenges worth addressing with your insurance company:
Code upgrades: Asheville and surrounding communities have updated building codes over the years, particularly regarding roof attachment methods for wind resistance. If your roof was built to older standards, you might be entitled to “code upgrade coverage” to bring the new roof up to current requirements.
Multiple layer considerations: Many older Asheville homes have multiple layers of roofing materials. Insurance should cover the removal of all layers when required for proper installation of the new roof.
Historic home factors: For homes in Asheville’s historic districts, there may be special requirements for materials and installation methods that increase replacement costs. Your insurance should account for these requirements.
Sustainability options: If you’re interested in upgrading to more sustainable or energy-efficient roofing during replacement, ask about endorsements or riders that might help cover these improvements.
Working Through the Process: A Real Asheville Example
Last year, after a severe hailstorm hit the Montford neighborhood, we worked with a homeowner whose initial insurance assessment offered only $8,000 for what was clearly more extensive damage. The adjuster had missed hail impacts on the northern slope of the roof and hadn’t accounted for damage to custom copper flashing.
We documented the additional damage, provided industry-standard repair specifications, and attended a re-inspection with a new adjuster. The revised claim paid out over $24,000 – enough to properly restore the historic home’s roof system with appropriate materials.
This example illustrates why having knowledgeable local support makes such a difference in the claims process.
Your Partner in Recovery
Storm damage is stressful, but navigating insurance claims doesn’t have to be. With the right approach and support, you can maximize your coverage and ensure your Asheville home is properly restored.
As your neighbors in Western North Carolina, we understand the unique challenges our mountain environment presents. We’re committed to helping our community recover from storm damage with integrity and expertise that insurance companies respect.
Whether you’re dealing with recent damage or want to be better prepared for future storms, we’re here to help you protect your most valuable asset – your home.