STEP 1: Before you file a claim
If you think your roof or property has been damaged by a storm, contact a reputable company to come out and provide an inspection of the roof. Greenawalt Roofing Company will come out and check for damage and let you know our findings. Using a reputable contractor will ensure that any work done is the highest quality with the best warranties.
STEP 2: Meet with your Contractor
Next, schedule an inspection with the selected roofing contractor. You want to do this before an actual claim is filed. The damage may not be as great as you think. If it is less than, or close to, your insurance deductible, filing a claim may not be in your best interest. Filing unnecessary claims may cause your insurance company to raise your rates or even drop your policy.
STEP 3: File your Insurance Claim
If the contractor’s estimate warrants filing a claim, do so now. Your insurance company will most likely schedule an adjuster to inspect your roof to approve and process your claim. Schedule a time when your contractor can also attend this inspection. It is very important that a contractor is present with the insurance adjuster. The claims specialists at Greenawalt Roofing Company are your advocates during the insurance inspection.
STEP 4: Meet with your Insurance adjuster
Insurance adjusters have a home inspection checklist they will follow when determining the damage done to your home. Your roofing contractor will be able to represent your needs and make sure that the adjuster is aware of all damaged areas. Having an experienced and professional company represent you during the inspection will increase your claim value and avoid any negative interactions.
STEP 5: Insurance Claim Approval
Once your insurance claim is approved, go over the details of the insurance coverage with Greenawalt Roofing Company. This will allow you to ask any questions you need regarding the work and the warranty the roofing contractor will provide. This is where the claims specialists at Greenawalt Roofing Company can help you understand everything the insurance company is covering.
STEP 6: Time for your roofing project to begin
When you have received the answers to your questions, sign the contract with Greenawalt Roofing Company and get your roof replacement scheduled. Your insurance company will provide payment directly to you. You will be responsible for paying the insurance check, depreciation and deductible to the Greenawalt Roofing Company. Greenawalt Roofing Company will supply any necessary information for you.
What Central Pennsylvania property owners should consider
Everything You Need to Know About Storm Damage Insurance Claims is best understood in the context of the whole property, not from one symptom alone. The age of the materials, previous repairs, water-management details, installation methods, and nearby exterior components can all affect what is visible. Central Pennsylvania’s mix of heavy rain, wind, summer heat, falling leaves, freeze-thaw cycles, and winter weather can also make the same concern look different from one home or building to another.
Start with observations that can be made safely. Avoid climbing onto the roof or disturbing damaged materials. Instead, note when the concern appeared, whether it changes during particular weather, and whether it is isolated or occurring in several areas. Photographs taken from a safe location and notes about prior work can help a professional understand the history without relying on memory alone.
Details worth documenting
- interior stains or active water entry that need prompt attention
- temporary measures already taken to limit further damage
- the date and approximate time of the weather event
- photos taken safely from the ground before temporary work begins
- missing, lifted, dented, cracked, or displaced exterior materials
These details do not replace an on-site evaluation, but they make the conversation more useful. They also help separate a maintenance item from a repair need or a larger project. A clear evaluation should explain the observed condition, the likely scope, the surrounding components that were checked, and any assumptions that could affect the recommendation.
Questions to ask before authorizing work
- Which conditions appear storm-related and which may be normal wear?
- Does the property need temporary protection before permanent work?
- What documentation should be kept with estimates and photographs?
- Are roofing, siding, gutters, and flashing all included in the evaluation?
- Which repairs are urgent and which can be planned?
- What assumptions and exclusions are written into the proposed scope?
Ask for the proposed work in writing and compare scopes rather than price alone. Materials, labor, disposal, cleanup, ventilation, flashing, permits, warranties, and possible concealed conditions should be easy to identify. If alternatives are available, the practical differences should be explained in plain language so the decision reflects the property’s needs and the owner’s priorities.
Greenawalt Roofing serves property owners across Central Pennsylvania. Learn about storm-damage support, review what happens during a Full Exterior Exam, browse the company’s service areas, or request a free estimate.
