Storm Damage Guide: Everything Minnesota Homeowners Need to Know

Remember 1998? Titanic was the biggest movie of all time at the box office, Monica and Chandler hooked up in the season finale of Friends, and Apple released the iconic colorful iMac. (Thanks for the reminders, Buzzfeed.)

It was also the year Timberline Roofing & Contracting got its start. More than two decades and countless roofing projects, storm damage restorations, and exterior renovations later, our local roofing business is proud to be a leading home exteriors company with multiple locations. We still pinch ourselves sometimes thinking about all of these years we’ve served the Twin Cities and surrounding areas across the upper Midwest!

From the start, our contractors have specialized in storm damage restoration, which puts Minnesota homes (especially the roofing) through a lot every spring and summer when hail storms are most common. We’ve witnessed firsthand how devastating storm damage can be, which is why we’ve worked hard to improve and streamline our restoration process over the last couple of decades. Let us guide you through the steps, starting with some comprehensive storm damage information designed to help you feel more confident and informed about the process.

For everything you need to know about storm damage, insurance claims, and restoring your Minnesota home, keep this guide handy!

Storm Damage in Minnesota

Our state is probably best known for snowstorms or having 10,000 lakes; Severe weather is not typically the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Minnesota. And yet, damaging storms bring large hail, gusting winds, and torrential rain to the Twin Cities metro area every year.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for Minnesota storms to produce hailstones the size of golf balls or larger, which can cause significant damage to your roof and other home exteriors. And of course, winter brings its own weather hazards to your house.

Every year, Minnesota homeowners deal with a variety of storm damage, such as:

• Hail damage to roofing and siding
• Broken windows and gutter systems
• Damage from fallen trees
• Tornado damage
• Roofing damage from ice dams and heavy snow accumulation

Are you prepared? Purchasing a homeowners insurance policy and having a trustworthy local roofer should be at the top of your list when you buy a house. If you’ve checked the first box but are still looking for the right roofing company, we humbly ask you to check out our reviews!

What to Do After a Severe Weather Event

When your home – your most treasured asset – is damaged by a storm, it can be challenging to decide what to do first. Should you call your insurance company or a roofer? Do you need to install tarps? Perhaps you’re thinking about getting up on your roof to see if there’s even any damage to worry about.

While it’s perfectly normal for all of these thoughts to come up, the simple fact is that time is of the essence. You don’t have a lot of time to waste as far as your insurance company is concerned; Most providers want you to file a claim “as soon as possible.” Plus, if you go the DIY route and try to inspect and repair your own roof, you could end up really hurting yourself.

After a severe weather event strikes your home, take a deep breath and call Timberline Roofing & Contracting to schedule a storm damage inspection. While you may have already met contractors knocking door to door in your neighborhood after the storm, choosing an out-of-town roofing company (AKA storm chasers) can be a homeowner’s nightmare.

Stick with a trustworthy, established local contractor that’s proven their dependability and commitment to customer satisfaction – and get that inspection on the books ASAP! Our experienced storm damage specialists will answer your questions about securing your home over the phone while we make arrangements.

Scheduling an Inspection

It’s the most important thing to do after a severe weather event, other than ensuring that everyone in your household is safe! Before anything else, you need to know what, if any, damage has been done to your property. Then it’s time to get your insurance company involved.

Understanding Your Insurance Coverage

Insurance policies are not all created equal, but generally, homeowners insurance covers sudden or unexpected incidents, including storm damage. But there can be many nuances, like not all policies cover roof repair and replacement services, and certain clauses may point to limitations and exclusions on what your provider will pay for.

Unfortunately, many people don’t fully understand their insurance coverage, which directly affects your ability to recover from a loss. For example, most homeowners insurance policies don’t include flood insurance, so if you want to be covered for all types of water damage – not just a select few – that’s a type of coverage you must typically buy separately.

The good news is that there’s no need for you to waste any time struggling to understand the fine print in your insurance policy. Just contact Timberline Roofing & Contracting, and we will begin our hassle-free restoration process, which includes helping you understand and navigate your insurance claim.

How Storm Damage Inspections Work With Insurance

When you contact your insurance company to let them know your home has storm damage, they may recommend certain roofing companies, but you have the right to choose the contractor you want. After your chosen contractor (Timberline Roofing & Contracting, we hope!) conducts the initial inspection, your insurance claim is filed.

Next, your insurance company will want to send an adjuster to do another inspection, where your contractor and the adjuster assess your roof together. It’s important that they do so, because if your contractor and your insurance adjuster disagree on the damage, you have someone there to represent your best interests. After they’ve come to an agreement, your contractor will share the adjuster’s final report with you and set up a time to select materials for your project.

Once you’ve chosen products and your insurance company sends your claim report and the first of two checks, the restoration work begins. Our work brings storm-damaged Minnesota homes back to life!

The Road to Restoration

Depending on the extent of your home’s storm damage, restoration services may take a couple of days or a couple of weeks to complete. Luckily, you’ll know exactly what sort of timeline to expect since you’ll be working with one of Timberline’s organized project managers from the get-go! They will also help you determine whether it’s necessary to arrange for an alternative place to live while your property is being restored.

How Do Insurance Companies Pay Storm Damage Claims?

You’ll typically receive a check about a week after the insurance adjuster’s inspection, where they estimate your home’s actual cost value – how much it will cost to repair or place the storm damage, minus depreciation.

After restorations are completed, you’ll get your second insurance check. The reason insurance companies issue two checks is to prevent insurance fraud; They don’t want you to profit from the storm damage by repairing your home at a lower rate than their estimate. The second check is for some of the depreciation – whatever portion is recoverable when the total expenses are equal or greater than the total settlement, minus your deductible.

Choose Timberline for All Your Storm Restoration Needs

With locations in Austin, Ham Lake, and White Bear Lake, Minnesota, our experienced storm damage contractors are ready to help you through this difficult time. Let us take the stress and hassle out of filing your insurance claim and restoring your property! For comprehensive storm damage services in the Twin Cities metro area and across the upper Midwest, call Timberline now at 612-284-5329!