04/29/2026
So… what to do next??
Your roofing system is the most important component of your home, overall. It keeps the entire home beneath it dry, conditioned, and mold free. However, they do eventually break down over a period of time. A roof in our climate can last up to 2-3 decades with regular maintenance (and a pinch of good luck with weather). But, we all know the Midwest carries a very high chance of wind and hail causing an early demise of our precious roof! When this happens, we each have to deal with the repairs and insurance companies, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and anxious. We at Charity Restoration hope to share a bit of insight to help guide you through the claims process:
INSURANCE CLAIM PROCESS (in most circumstances)
1. Contractor Inspection – If possible, have Charity Restoration look at your home to have an idea of what items are damaged from the storm event. It is best to have this done prior to you making a claim with your insurance carrier. This might include the roof, gutters, windows, window screens, fascia metals, paint and even overhead doors. There could even be damages found to your sheds or fence/deck stains etc. It takes a trained contractor to be able to identify these damages, while also knowing the difference between storm damage and general “wear and tear”. We don’t want you to waste your time making a claim that will not be approved by your insurance carrier.
2. Make Insurance Claim – You will want to call your insurance company to make a storm claim. We will let you know what date to relay as the “Date of loss”. This will help the company identify which storm caused the damage. This could have an impact on future rate increases, so make sure to utilize your Charity Restoration contractor for this information. At this time, you will want to give your contractors information to the handler, so they can contact us for the initial insurance inspection. This is best done by giving a simple name, telephone # and Company Name. Example. “My contractor would like to be present for the inspection, his name is Kasey, 417-840-8266, Charity Restoration. Please make sure to include him in this process.” It’s as simple as that!
Inspection – The Adjuster will likely call to set a time to meet for the inspection of the damaged property. He should schedule this with your contractor as well. If he didn’t, please give us a call, telling us when the appointment is scheduled, and we will make sure we are there to meet with the adjuster. We then will inspect the damages together and determine the scope of necessary “and covered” repairs. It is at this time that you would owe your initial payment, which is your deductible (usually $1,000). He will later prepare an estimate showing what the insurance carrier is prepared to pay. This will include items and pricing. This estimate is usually sent to you by email or snail mail. Once you received the insurance companies estimate, you can call us so we can review it together.
3. Estimate – The insurance adjuster will prepare an estimate showing what the insurance carrier is prepared to pay. This will include items and pricing. This estimate is usually sent to you by email or snail mail. This estimate will seem very confusing to a person who is not in the contracting or insurance industry. So, once you have received the insurance companies estimate, please call us so we can review it together.
4. Payment Issued – Reinbursement for repair or replacement damages may be made in two or more payments. The estimate should detail the payment amounts and how they are to be allocated. If you have a mortgage on your home, this payment will likely have their name on the check. You will need to get with your mortgage company to find the endorsement process.
• 1st Payment- Actual Cash Value payment (ACV): ACV is the COST TO REPLACE an item with like kind and quality, MINUS depreciation, MINUS your insurance deductible (usually $1,000) Depreciation is a decrease in an items value due to its age or condition.
**This entire first insurance payment is typically due to the contractor. In our case, this is the final payment due until the project is fully completed. (if a contractor is demanding more than this payment, and possibly your deductible, you might reconsider who you are in business with)
5. Repairing Your Property – This is where we shine. We will review the services/materials being offered and agree on the scope. If there is any discrepancy in scope pricing, we will contact the insurance company (on your behalf) and negotiate any issues. Once agreed, we will complete all repairs to your approval. We will inspect the final result together, and eventually have you sign the Letter of Completion.
**NOTE: Charity Restoration will never charge you a penny more than your insurance company allows in the final estimate, including all supplements. This assures you that you will NEVER be out more than your deductible (as long as you have RCV coverage)
• 2nd Payment – Replacement Cost (RCV)- If your policy has replacement cost coverage, you may be entitled up to the full amount shown on the estimate (RCV) MINUS your deductible, MINUS any prior payments (your first payment). This payment would be considered a “recoverable depreciation” payment. We would need to send in our (1) final invoice, (2) the signed Letter of Completion, and (3) possibly photos of the repairs to the insurance Claims dept. This would trigger their review of the requested final payment. Once this final payment is received, it would be also be owed to the contractor.
THAT’S A LOT …RIGHT !?!?!?. This is why we are here to help walk you through the process step-by-step so you don’t have to worry. We do this every day, so you don’t have to. Charity Restoration is here for you!!
417.840.8266
