Forsyth and Monroe County is no stranger to high winds and tornados.  The scars from the F3 that ripped through northern Monroe county in 2011 can still be seen when you travel north on I-75.  Most important with any storm system is safety.  But after the storm the repairs must begin.  And many times the most important repair needed is the roof.

Proper Steps for Repairs Following Storm Damage

• If you think you have damage, first call your insurance company or agent and discuss with them how to move forward.
• Review your policy.  Know what the insurance company will cover, what is your deductible.  Does your policy cover the replacement value of the roof or only the depreciated value?
• The insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage.
•  The adjuster (and only an adjuster) determines if damage has occurred, he will issue a report listing the damage and the expected cost of recovery.
• The adjuster will then cut a check for the damage minus the depreciation of the roof.  In many cases the check is written to both you and your mortgage company.  You will need to contact your mortgage company to get the steps on how they will endorse the check.
• You can choose 2 different ways to hire a contractor. You may bid the work to one or more contractors and accept a bid. If that bid is less than the insurance company estimate, the insurance company will pay only the contractor's amount, less deductible. If the bid is more than the insurance estimate, you can submit the higher bid to the insurance company and attempt to work out the difference. You can always hire the trusted contractor of your choice. 
• Under NO circumstances can you avoid paying your deductible. Any contractor that suggests otherwise is committing insurance fraud.
• After the project has been completed, the contractor or you send an invoice and certificate of completion to the insurance company. Insurance then cuts a check to the homeowner for the depreciated portion of the loss (providing the homeowner has replacement cost insurance, which most do.) In some instances, a mortgage company and/or contractor may be listed on the check as co-payees.

There are many contractors who look to take advantage of storms.  We call them "Storm Chasers".  Here is a link to more information on how to protect yourself.