What Should I Do After a Storm Has Damaged My Property?

Severe weather can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses throughout Michigan City, Indiana That being said the safety you, your loved ones, coworkers, or anyone with you is paramount. High winds, hail, heavy rain, falling trees, and powerful storms can damage roofs, siding, windows, interiors, and other parts of a property so make sure it's safe to reenter. Upon entering the damaged property storms can sometimes leave problems that are not immediately visible.

Ashford DiMartino & Jones helps Michigan City property owners understand the insurance side of storm damage restoration while contractors and restoration professionals handle the physical repairs. The goal is to help protect the recovery behind the restoration and make sure important damage is not overlooked during the insurance claim process.

After severe weather passes, first make sure the property is safe. Stay away from downed power lines, unstable trees, damaged roofing, broken glass, exposed electrical components, and areas that may have structural damage.

Once conditions are safe, begin documenting the property before cleanup and permanent repairs move forward.

Take photos and videos of:

• Roof and shingle damage
• Hail damage
• Missing or damaged siding
• Broken windows
• Fallen trees and branches
• Damaged gutters and downspouts
• Interior ceiling and wall damage
• Damaged fencing and exterior structures
• Personal property damage
• Commercial inventory and equipment

Document both obvious and less visible areas of the property. Keep copies of receipts, estimates, invoices, temporary repair expenses, and communication with your insurance company.

A strong record of the loss may become important if questions arise later about your storm damage insurance claim.

Getting Emergency Storm Damage Restoration

Some storm damage cannot wait for the insurance process to move forward.

A damaged roof may need to be tarped, broken windows may need to be boarded, debris may need to be removed, and exposed areas may need to be secured to prevent additional damage.

Depending on the situation, a storm damage restoration company may provide:

• Emergency roof tarping
• Board-up services
• Tree and debris removal
• Structural stabilization
• Storm cleanup
• Damaged material removal
• Roof and siding repairs
• Window replacement
• Interior restoration
• Reconstruction

Property owners may contact a restoration company themselves, or their insurance carrier may recommend a preferred vendor.

Remember that each party has a different role.

Restoration companies repair the storm damage. Ashford DiMartino & Jones helps protect the insurance recovery connected to those repairs.

You do not necessarily have to assume that an insurance company's preferred contractor or initial estimate represents the full scope of the loss.

Understanding Your Storm Damage Insurance Claim

After reporting storm damage, the insurance company may assign an adjuster to inspect the property, review photographs, request estimates, and determine what it believes should be covered.

The first inspection may not identify every problem.

For example, strong winds can loosen roofing materials without completely removing them. Hail can damage shingles, gutters, siding, windows, and exterior components. A damaged roof may also allow moisture to enter ceilings, walls, insulation, and other areas of the property.

Problems may occur when an insurance company:

• Underestimates roof damage
• Misses wind or hail damage
• Excludes necessary repairs
• Disputes whether damage came from the storm
• Undervalues damaged materials
• Questions contractor estimates
• Delays the claim
• Approves partial repairs instead of replacement
• Leaves interior damage out of the estimate

Property owners can ask questions and compare the adjuster's estimate with documentation from contractors and restoration professionals.

Ashford DiMartino & Jones can help review the insurance side of the loss when the proposed recovery does not appear to match the documented damage.

Storm Damage Can Extend Beyond the Roof

Roof damage is often the first thing property owners notice after severe weather, but storm damage restoration may involve much more.

Wind, hail, falling debris, and damaged exterior materials can affect multiple areas of a home or commercial property. Even a relatively small opening in a roof or exterior wall can lead to additional problems if it is not addressed quickly.

Storm restoration may involve repairing or replacing:

• Roofing and shingles
• Siding
• Gutters
• Windows and doors
• Drywall and ceilings
• Insulation
• Flooring
• Exterior structures
• Electrical components
• Damaged personal or business property

A complete inspection and detailed documentation can help establish the true scope of the storm loss before permanent repairs are completed.

Common Problems With Storm Damage Claims

Storm damage claims can become more complicated as inspections and repairs progress.

A homeowner or business owner may find that the insurance company:

• Offers a repair estimate below contractor pricing
• Approves only part of a damaged roof
• Disputes hail damage
• Classifies damage as normal wear and tear
• Excludes interior damage
• Questions whether the storm caused the loss
• Undervalues damaged materials
• Delays approval or payment
• Disagrees with the restoration company's scope of work

These disagreements can become especially important when significant roofing, siding, structural, or interior repairs are necessary.

Commercial property owners may also face damaged equipment, interrupted operations, lost income, tenant concerns, and pressure to reopen quickly.

An insurance company's first estimate does not necessarily represent the complete cost of restoring the property.

Document the Damage Before Repairs Move Too Far

Good documentation can make a major difference during a storm damage claim.

Whenever safely possible, photograph and record the property before damaged materials are removed or permanent repairs begin. Continue documenting the property as contractors uncover additional damage.

Keep records of:

• Photos and videos
• Insurance correspondence
• Claim numbers
• Adjuster reports
• Roofing estimates
• Contractor estimates
• Restoration invoices
• Temporary repair costs
• Receipts
• Emails and text messages
• Personal property inventories
• Business interruption records

If emergency repairs are necessary to protect the property, document the condition before, during, and after the work whenever possible.

These records can help show the difference between the documented restoration needs and what the insurance company has agreed to pay.

Storm Damage Restoration for Michigan City Homes and Businesses

Michigan City's location near Lake Michigan can expose properties to strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, heavy rain, and other severe weather conditions.

Homeowners may face damaged roofs, siding, windows, gutters, interiors, garages, fencing, and personal belongings. Landlords and rental property owners may also have to address tenant concerns, emergency repairs, code requirements, and restoration timelines.

For businesses, commercial storm damage can affect more than the building. Damaged inventory, equipment, interrupted operations, lost revenue, and delays reopening can add to the overall loss.

Whether the storm affects a home, rental property, apartment building, restaurant, retail space, office, warehouse, or another commercial property, the insurance claim should reflect the documented scope of damage.

When Should You Contact Ashford DiMartino & Jones?

You do not have to wait until a storm damage insurance claim is denied before seeking guidance.

Consider contacting Ashford DiMartino & Jones when:

• Your property has recently suffered storm damage
• A restoration company or contractor is beginning work
• An insurance adjuster is scheduled to inspect
• The insurance estimate appears too low
• Wind or hail damage is being disputed
• The insurer is blaming damage on age or wear
• Necessary repairs have been excluded
• Your claim is being delayed
• Contractor estimates are being questioned
• You are being pressured to accept a settlement

Early guidance can help property owners understand the claim, preserve important documentation, and identify potential problems before restoration moves too far ahead.

Helping Michigan City Recover After Storm Damage

Ashford DiMartino & Jones assists homeowners, landlords, renters, business owners, property managers, and commercial property owners throughout Michigan City, LaPorte County, and Northwest Indiana with storm damage restoration guidance and insurance claim support.

Severe weather can disrupt your home, business, finances, and daily life. Contractors and restoration companies can repair the physical property, but making sure the insurance recovery reflects the actual damage is another important part of rebuilding.

If your property has experienced storm damage, wind damage, hail damage, roof damage, storm damage restoration, storm damage repair, or a disputed storm damage insurance claim in Michigan City, Ashford DiMartino & Jones can help you understand the insurance process and protect the recovery connected to restoring your property.

(Note: We also have dedicated hubs for our neighbors in Portage and La Porte.)

Meet Your Michigan City Insurance Coverage Attorneys