The Insurance Claim Roadmap: Navigating Storm Damage Repairs in Central PA

For homeowners across Central Pennsylvania, severe weather is a fact of life. Hailstorms, high winds, and heavy ice can cause significant damage to your roofing and siding, often requiring professional repair or even full replacement. Dealing with the damage is stressful enough without having to navigate the complex world of insurance claims.

At PrimEX Exterior Solutions, we are dedicated not just to restoring your home, but to making the insurance claims process as smooth and stress-free as possible. This roadmap will guide you through the key steps and equip you to handle storm damage repairs for your State College home like a seasoned professional.

Step 1: Immediate Action and Documentation

When you suspect storm damage to your home’s exterior, immediate action is crucial for safety and for your claim.

• Safety First: Ensure your family is safe. If you see major structural damage or exposed electrical wires, call emergency services.
• Temporary Measures: If your roof is leaking or you have a gaping hole, take photos of the damage, then place a tarp or plastic sheeting over the affected area to prevent further water intrusion. Keep receipts for all temporary repair costs, as these are often reimbursable.
• Document Everything: Walk around your property and take clear, close-up photos of all damage: missing or torn shingles, dents in siding or gutters, and damage to your deck or fence. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim will be.

Step 2: Contact Your Insurer and a Trusted Contractor

This step should happen almost simultaneously.

• File the Claim: Call your insurance company immediately to report the loss. They will issue a claim number. Do not describe the damage in specific terms (e.g., "my roof is leaking"). Simply state that you believe your property sustained wind or hail damage and needs an inspection.
• Call Your Contractor: Before the insurance adjuster arrives, contact a reputable, local exterior contractor in the Centre County area, like PrimEX. We are experts in identifying the subtle signs of hail damage to shingles and wind damage to siding systems that often get missed. We can inspect your home and give you an expert assessment, which provides valuable counter-leverage during the claims process.

Step 3: The Adjuster’s Inspection and Advocacy

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to inspect the damage. Your contractor’s presence at this stage is invaluable.

• Be Present: Try to be home during the adjuster’s visit.
• Contractor on Site: A trusted contractor acts as your advocate, meeting the adjuster on the roof and explaining the scope of damage based on their expertise. Our goal is to ensure the adjuster sees all the damage, including areas on the north-facing slope of the roof or subtle siding dents that are easy to overlook.
• Scope of Work Agreement: The adjuster will write a Scope of Work (SOW) that outlines what they will pay to repair or replace. This document should detail all necessary repairs, including roof tear-off, siding replacement, gutter work, and ventilation.

Step 4: Reviewing the Estimate and Finalizing the Repair

The adjuster will send you a claim summary detailing the cash value of the damage, known as the Actual Cash Value (ACV), and the depreciation that will be released upon completion of the work (Recoverable Depreciation).



• Review the SOW: Compare the insurance company's SOW with the report from your PrimEX Project Manager. Often, the insurance estimate may be too low or omit essential line items (like code upgrades or chimney flashing). We work with you and the insurance company to ensure the estimate covers all necessary exterior repairs to fully restore your home to its pre-loss condition, using high-quality, durable materials.
• The Repair: Once the estimate is agreed upon, our team schedules the repair. We handle all the permitting and installation of your new roof, siding, or deck, ensuring the job meets all manufacturer and local codes in the State College region.
• Final Payment: After the work is complete, we submit a final invoice to your insurer, which releases the remaining funds (the depreciation) to you.

Navigating a complex exterior repair claim is not something you have to do alone. By partnering with a local, reputable, and experienced contractor like PrimEX Exterior Solutions, you gain a powerful ally dedicated to ensuring your State College home is restored with quality and integrity.