hailstorm roofing and insurance questions (Dallas: how much, house, neighborhood)

[Candide1776]

I live in an area of East Dallas that was hit by the hailstorm.

After the storm I looked at our roof. I have no expertise but I didn't see any sign of damage. I thought at first we got lucky.

I asked a roofer (recommended by our realtor, had done good repairs for us before) to inspect the roof. I called back a couple of times. Weeks later, he still hasn't showed up. I know he's super-busy, but really??

Then I noticed that virtually every house in our neighborhood seems to be getting a new roof, regardless of whether there's any visible damage. Is there a lot of damage that's hard to see? Or is this just a way that people take the opportunity to get a new roof and have insurance pay for it? Is it worth getting a new roof as a preventative measure?

Is it true that I'm supposed to call insurance for an adjuster to visit, before the roofer visits? Maybe that's why the roofer hasn't shown up? Do I need to be smart about the conversation with insurance? Are they looking for a reason to not pay for a roof?

Would it be stupid of me to say, "I don't think there's any damage to our roof, but would you look at it anyway?" Would that make them less likely to cover a new roof? Now that I've waited weeks for the roofer to show up, is it too late anyway? Should I have asked them to come right away, regardless of the seeming lack of damage? Can I still get them to cover a roof, and should I?

Very perplexed. Thanks in advance for advice.

[Rakin]

Call your insurance company and have them send out an adjuster to look at your home. Ask them for 2-3 recommended roofers, don't go by the signs in the yards.

[jennifw]

I called my insurance company and they sent out an adjuster within a few days. You are not committed at that point. I have heard to call a roofer first but I don't think it matters. I live in Lakewood and see lots of new roofs going on. I think it is a great way to get a new roof for the cost of your deductible when there might be minimal damage. Of course, I don't think the insurance companies will write it up unless there is enough damage to warrant it. My view is that my roof was already 15yrs old....

I think you have to determine what is the best choice for you - how old is your roof? What is your deductible? What if you dont get it checked and there is a problem in a few months? (Although I do think you have a year to report it to your insurance company - you might want to check your specific policy)

Good lucK!

[FalconheadWest]

Most hail damage is cosmetic damage. Those granules you see on the composition roofs get knocked off. You should be able to see a lot in your gutters or around the perimeter of your home if you have no gutters. The composition granules are what is important on the shingles. It starts out cosmetic, but if too many are gone, more wear and tear happens and then roof leaks.

[RabidTiger]

Forgot about that roofer you called. It takes them an hour to come out and look at your house and talk with you about how much damage they see.

My roof has been replaced twice in 18 months and both times I had my roofer walk around my house with the insurance adjuster. He found stuff that the adjuster didn't notice (damaged grill, damaged childrens play area).

I didn't notice any damage on my roof either btw, but there was a lot with this last hailstorm.

[seat21d]

If you were in one of the areas of Lakewood/East Dallas hit by hail in June, more than likely your roof will need to be replaced. It is not something you will necessarily be able to see with the untrained eye.

It does not matter if you call your insurance company or a roofer first. But be sure to contact a roofer that you know is reputable and knows how the insurance claims process works - through recommendations from your neighbors, BBB ratings, etc. I got lucky - a freind's cousin is a roofer and is doing his roof, so it was a no brainer to use him for my roof, too.

[jsafstrom]

These pics are from a home inspection this week in the East Dallas area. This house was in Junius Heights. The damage was plainly visible from the ground, so if your roof looks anything close to this it should be replaced. There was much more than cosmetic damage to these shingles, but the hail that hit here must have been very large. The hail dented and damaged, gutters, roof vents (whirlybirds), pool equipment, grills, etc.