Westchester gets its share of roof-damaging weather. The County's Hazard Mitigation Plan counts 272 thunderstorm wind events and 68 hail events between 1954 and 2021. Isaias in 2020, the remnants of Ida in 2021 and the March 2018 nor'easters all brought widespread damage. When a storm does hit your roof, the first few days decide a lot.
After a storm: what to do first
- Stay safe. Stay off the roof and away from downed wires. If a tree is on the house, call your utility and a tree service before anyone goes up.
- Document everything. New York's insurance regulator advises photographing or filming the damage before cleanup or repairs. Take pictures of the roof from the ground, the attic, and any interior water damage, with dates.
- Prevent further damage. Your policy expects you to take reasonable steps such as tarping an open roof. Keep receipts for emergency work.
- Don't make permanent repairs yet. The regulator's advice is to wait until your insurer has inspected the damage.
- Notify your insurer promptly and keep a log of every call: date, name and what was said.
- Get an independent inspection. A roofer can tell you whether you're looking at storm damage or normal wear, and document it for the adjuster.
How homeowners insurance treats roofs
- Sudden damage is covered; wear isn't. Wind, hail and falling trees are typical covered perils. Deterioration from age, neglected maintenance and long-term leaks generally aren't.
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value. Replacement cost coverage pays to replace the roof, minus your deductible. Actual cash value also subtracts depreciation for the roof's age, which on an older roof can leave you paying most of the bill. Check your declarations page.
- Wind and hail deductibles. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind or hail, either a flat amount or a percentage of dwelling coverage.
- Flood is separate. Water rising from the ground isn't covered by a standard homeowners policy. Wind-driven rain through a damaged roof is a different matter.
New York's rule on contractors and claims
This catches homeowners off guard. Under New York Insurance Law, anyone who negotiates or settles a claim on your behalf for compensation must be a licensed public adjuster. The Department of Financial Services has advised that a roofing contractor without that license may only answer the insurer's questions about the damage. It may not advocate for you or negotiate your claim.
So here's what we do, and what we won't:
- We inspect and tell you honestly whether we see storm damage or normal wear.
- We document the damage with photos and measurements.
- We meet your adjuster on the roof, if you'd like, and answer questions about the damage and the repair.
- We give you a detailed written estimate for the work.
We won't negotiate your settlement, promise a free roof, or offer to cover your deductible. If you want someone to negotiate for you, hire a licensed public adjuster. In New York their fees are capped at 12.5% of the recovery.
How to spot a storm chaser
After big storms, out-of-area crews knock on doors across Westchester. Warning signs:
- An unsolicited visit from a crew that “happened to be in the neighborhood”
- A promise that insurance will pay for a whole new roof before anyone has seen the claim
- Pressure to sign today, or a request to sign a contract or “authorization” before your adjuster visits
- Normal wear described as storm damage
- No Westchester County home improvement license number
- A large cash deposit with no escrow
Check any contractor against the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection's licensed contractor list, at (914) 995-2155 or consumer.westchestergov.com. Remember your right to cancel a home improvement contract until midnight of the third business day after signing.