Roof leaking: Should I call the insurance company...

[Douglas Pollock]

Should I contact the insurance company? I just received a call from my PM. The tenants reported a roof leak and it’s still raining. The PM recommends I call the insurance company tonight if possible. The property is in Georgia and is due to receive more heavy rain on Wednesday as the hurricane that’s in the gulf moves across the US and toward the rental. I found out during a hurricane a couple years ago that the deductible goes up to a percentage of the home’s value during a named storm, so my gut says I should contact the insurance company. Is there any emrsason I should wait? I don’t know the extent of the issue at the moment. The tenants are still in the home. Does rental insurance usually cover any costs associated with the tenants if they need to leave?

[Jared Newsom]

As an Agent in a coastal area, here's my advice:

Find a roofer who can provide a temporary fix such as placing a tarp over the damaged area until the weather allows for a better assessment.  If you end up claiming it on insurance, this cost will be covered.  Insurance companies want you to be proactive to limit the amount of damage that occurs.

Have a contractor assess the damage inside and out and provide you an estimate.  Compare this to your insurance deductible, which can be high near the coast and, as you mentioned, can be higher during a named storm.

One wind claim during a catastrophic event should not cause your insurance premiums to go up, but if you have had multiple claims in the past 5 years, the frequency of your claims could cause an increase.

The reason I do not advise you to call the insurance company first is that it will be entered as a claim on your policy, even if you ultimately do not receive any money from the company.

I hope this helps.  Good Luck!