Aaron Brookens, Co-Owner and Founder of one of America’s fastest-growing roofing companies explains how the insurance filing process works for a damaged roof.

A roof is a home’s first line of defense against the elements. If there is potential damage after a storm, it’s imperative for homeowners to address the issue as soon as possible. Filing an insurance claim for roof damage can be a complex procedure, but it is a crucial part of the process for anyone trying to keep their home in great shape after a storm.

Here’s a look at how Brookens Construction, one of the fastest-growing companies in the Midwest, approaches this process.

Performing A Roof Inspection

Storms, especially severe ones with high winds and hail, can cause damage that may not be immediately visible to the untrained eye. This hidden damage can worsen over time, leading to more extensive and expensive repairs if left unaddressed.

Photo Credit: Brookens Construction

Experts suggest that you should be getting your roof inspected once a year to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

“If the flashings look good, the lines are straight, and there’s no holes or penetrations in the roof, even a good roofer might say, ‘it looks good, and you don’t have anything to worry about,’ not knowing that a few short years down the road, that hail damage is going to progress with time,” says Aaron Brookens, Founder and Co-Owner of Brookens Construction.

He explains that when hail hits a shingle, it loosens the granules, and every time it rains after or goes through a cycle of the seasons, those granules become weakened and eventually expose the asphalt underneath. When the asphalt is exposed, it becomes brittle over time and cracks, leading to leaks and water damage. 

Documenting Roof Damage

Documenting roof damage after a storm is a proactive step that provides essential evidence for insurance claims. 

Brookens Construction, serving the Madison, Fox Valley, and Milwaukee areas in Wisconsin, is the 11th fastest-growing company in Wisconsin. They also ranked on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in 2023. One of the reasons for Brookens’ growth is their diligent approach to performing inspections and documenting damage.

“It’s essentially us doing the same job that the insurance adjuster would do,” says Brookens. “A damage report is something that we kind of brought into the industry. So what we’re doing is taking photographs of the hail hits and the shingles, along with the other damage. If there are dents in soft metals, we call that collateral damage, and we compile all those photos into a nice neat report, and then we educate the homeowner on why this little spot with missing granules needs to be addressed,” he says. 

Brookens explains that the damage report supports the insurance claim side of things but also helps homeowners understand what’s happening on their roof. 

Photo Credit: Brookens Construction

Assessing The Damage Report

The report from a reputable company provides a professional assessment of the damage to your roof that provides evidence that the repairs are worth an insurance claim.

For companies like Brookens Construction, time is of the essence: a timely insurance claim and subsequent repairs can prevent the damage from escalating into a more extensive and costly issue.

Brookens, who put their clients in the driver’s seat, seek to arm them with the information needed to make the right decision. 

“The damage is either there or it’s not. If it’s there, we’re going to be able to take pictures of it and show you what we’re looking at. We go there, do an inspection, document the damage, and send them a damage report. It’s up to them, after reviewing the damage report, if they think it’s worth it to initiate a claim,” says Brookens. 

Contact your insurance company’s claims department and file a claim if needed

Filing an insurance claim is a typically straightforward process involving gathering all of the correct and relevant information, including photos, videos, receipts, and any documentation related to the incident. 

Insurance claims handlers look for details on the date and time of the incident that caused the damage, a description of what happened, and the extent of the damages or loss. 

Following a submitted claim, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to assess the damage after their inspection comes to a resolution.

But getting an insurance company to open up their coffers is easier said than done. Brookens Construction, as part of their industry-leading approach to the business, often finds themselves as an advocate for their clients.

Brookens Construction often meets with insurance adjusters to make sure all of the damages are addressed and accounted for. If the claim is denied, Brookens will submit additional supporting documentation to the insurance company which begins the rebuttal process. 

To learn more about Brookens Constructions, who recently secured spot number 1,372 on Inc 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies, visit their website today. 

Published by: Aly Cinco