When a business’s roof is damaged after a severe weather or disaster event, it can make for costly repairs and the potential loss of business. Roofing systems are a major investment for business owners, making any damage they sustain especially frustrating.
In these situations, it isn’t just the exterior of the property that’s affected; roof damage can quickly compromise the interior of a business just as significantly. Commercial property owners must take the time to review their insurance policies and know the steps to take to file a claim for roof damage well before it occurs.
How Storm Damage Affects Commercial Roof Systems
Roof systems for businesses can be more complex and involve a wider variety of materials than residential ones. Identifying the presence of storm-related damage requires much more than a visual check or a quick call to an insurance provider.
Storms and natural disasters can damage commercial roofs in many ways, and some damage may not be easy to see right away. While flat and low-slope roofs are built to handle bad weather, their large surfaces and drainage systems can make them more likely to have storm damage.
Some of the ways storm damage can affect commercial roof systems include:
Wind Uplift
Strong winds can move across a roof and lift parts of the roofing material or panels. This can loosen or tear away fasteners, leaving seams and insulation exposed. Over time, strong winds can weaken a roof and make it more likely to fail in future storms.
Hail Impact
Hailstones vary in size and density; however, even a moderately sized hailstone can bruise insulation, fracture membranes, or dent metal panels. In single-ply roof systems, hail can result in punctures that can allow water to enter the property long after the initial storm has passed.
Water Ponding and Infiltration
Improper drainage can lead to water accumulation, or ponding, on flat roofs. The longer standing water is present, the greater likelihood for leaks, membrane degradation and even microbial growth.
Once water enters a roofing system, it can saturate insulation, corrode metal, and impact interior ceilings, wiring, or HVAC systems.
Flashing and Metal Damage
Flashing, coping, and edge metal are often the first components to fail during a storm. When displaced or damaged, these elements expose vulnerable areas to moisture intrusion and structural weakening.
How to File a Roof Damage Claim for Your Commercial Property
Commercial properties are a major investment, so roof damage can be very frustrating for owners. Whether the damage is caused by a hailstorm, hurricane, or another natural disaster, owners should file a roof damage claim as soon as possible to help get repairs and proper compensation.
The steps to properly claim roof damage for your commercial property include:
Document the Damage
When a commercial property owner finds roof damage, one of the first things they should do is document it and inspect the roof. This includes taking photos and videos of the damage and noting important details.
It also helps to have proof of the roof’s condition before the event that caused the damage. This makes it easier to show the insurance company that the damage was from an unexpected event, not normal wear and tear.
To inspect the roof, it is often best for the business owner to have an experienced roofing contractor inspect the damage to make the process smoother and keep people safe.
File the Claim with the Insurance Company and Make Temporary Repairs
Once the roof inspection is done, an insurance claim should be filed as soon as possible. This helps protect the property from more damage and notifies the insurance company.
While the claim is being reviewed, commercial property owners can make temporary repairs to protect damaged areas and prevent more damage. However, making permanent repairs before the claim is finished can lead to claim denial and may leave property owners paying for repairs.
Temporary repairs should be made to prevent more damage. These can include securing a tarp over the roof and blocking off damaged areas of the property from the rest of the business to contain the damage.
File your insurance claim as soon as possible after a roof inspection to help prevent further damage and notify your insurer quickly.
Have an Adjuster Inspect the Damage
Once a claim is filed, the insurance carrier will send its own claims adjuster to inspect the property. During this inspection, commercial property owners and their roofers can share their findings with the adjuster.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company that pays them and may try to say the damage was caused by something not covered. For example, an adjuster may say roof damage was caused by normal wear and tear instead of a hailstorm. Wear and tear is usually not covered by commercial property insurance and can lead to a claim denial.
Damages Not Covered by Commercial Property Insurance
There are a variety of scenarios that could make certain damages unlikely to be covered by an insurance policy, including:
Leak and Water Damage
Water damage, including leaks, is only covered if the damage was caused by a covered event. For instance, if a hailstorm damaged your roof, which resulted in a leak, that damage would be covered.
Insurance policies will generally not cover water damage to a roof if hail or wind damage is not covered by the existing policy, if a leak develops over time due to gradual wear and tear, or if the roof has not been properly maintained.
Roof Age
A roof damage claim may not be covered if the roof is too old. In most cases, “old” means 20 years or older, which accounts for the lifespan of most shingle roofs.
The roof of a commercial building can also be deemed too old if one of the lower layers is 20 years old and a new layer was added to it rather than having the whole roof replaced.
Damage Caused by Property Owner
If the property owner damages their roof, the claim will likely not be covered under their insurance policy.
Property owner damage can occur in the form of water damage due to wear and tear or attempting to self-repair the roof and only damaging it further.
Financially Risky Materials
Certain roofing materials that are highly expensive and/or can be easily damaged are likely not covered by insurance.
Materials like wood burn easily and thus may not be covered. Expensive metal roofs can be damaged by hail. Slate roofs are incredibly heavy and costly to install, meaning they are likely not to be covered.
Excluded Perils
While covered perils account for most weather events that will likely cause damage to a building’s roof, several perils are generally excluded, including:
- Flooding
- Earth movements, such as earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, or sinkholes
- Mold and mildew, except in certain instances
- Pest infestation
- Sewer backup
- War or government action
- Nuclear leak or explosion
Commercial Property Insurance Claim Attorneys
Commercial property roof damage can be very hard on building owners and tenants. Commercial property insurance may be costly, but it is important—and often required—to protect the business or businesses in the building.
Insurance companies can deny, delay, or lower the value of a commercial property damage claim. If roof damage is covered by the policy but the insurance company will not pay, the business owner should get help from an experienced commercial insurance claims attorney.
At Raizner Slania, we understand this frustration and how a commercial property damage claim can affect a business. If you are a property owner who needs help with commercial roof coverage or a delayed, underpaid, or denied roof claim, we can help.