A prolonged torrential downpour can expose leaks in your roof you never knew were there. If the water damage is especially severe, your roof can cave in. What do you do when this happens?
Safety first
Before anything else, make sure you and your family are safe. Move your family immediately to a secure area in the house without leaks. Keep the area suffering from leaks off-limits. Once the storm has passed, visually inspect and try to find the source of the leak – safely.
Warning: Do not try to climb onto the roof on your own! If you can’t find the leak, call a roofing professional to check it.
Review your insurance policy
While most insurance policies cover roof leaks, there are some exceptions to the coverage. Each policy will vary, so you must check carefully if your case is covered. In any case, you need to start documenting to file your claim. Take photos from all angles of the damage before you clean up. Write a list of all damaged or lost items. If you have pictures of your house and your roof before the incident, prepare those as well.
The insurance company denies your claim
You may still get denied due to technicalities, even if your claim is covered. Storm damage can be a bit complicated, as the damage might not initially be from the water but from something else. You may seek professional legal advice to help you interpret the conditions of your insurance policy.
Remember, not all insurance companies will volunteer to pay what they can avoid. You may be missing a claim that is legally yours. Check and cover all your bases just to be sure.