Storm Damage Settlement: Should You Take the First Offer?

When your roof suffers major storm damage, your insurer may offer a lump-sum settlement smaller than the benefits you must receive. After conducting a property assessment, they may offer these sums as alternative options to your benefits that pay out slowly over a few months to a year.

Top metal roofing contractor Deschutes Roofing & Insulation shares the pros and cons of accepting the first storm damage settlement in this post.

Pros of Accepting the First Insurance Settlement Offer

Accepting the first offer on a storm damage settlement may turn out to be in your best interest.

• Quick resolution. You can quickly resolve your storm damage claim and receive the settlement amount, which can be particularly beneficial if you need the money urgently to repair your property.
• No additional costs. Accepting the first offer means you don’t have to spend extra time, money or effort negotiating with the insurance company for a better settlement for residential roofing storm damage.
• Fair offer. In some cases, the first offer from the insurance company may be a fair and reasonable settlement based on the extent of the damage and terms of your insurance policy.
• Peace of mind. By accepting the first offer, you can avoid the stress and uncertainty of prolonged negotiations and potential legal battles.

Cons of Accepting the First Insurance Settlement Offer

Sometimes, however, accepting the first storm damage settlement may be unfavorable to you.

• Low settlement amount. In most cases, the first offer from the insurance company may not fully compensate for the full extent of the damage and could leave you with a lower settlement amount than you deserve.
• Limited timeframe. Insurance companies may pressure you to accept the first offer quickly, limiting your time and pressuring you to accept it rather than have time to decide.
• Future costs. Accepting a low settlement amount could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses for any additional repairs or damages not covered in the initial settlement.

Alternatives to Accepting the First Settlement Offer

If you feel that the initial offer doesn’t fully account for storm damages, it may be worthwhile to negotiate for a higher amount. You can do this directly with the insurance adjuster or have a roofer represent you.

At Deschutes Roofing & Insulation, we can help you navigate the storm damage claim process, from submitting the claim to processing the final payment. In our experience, we have been able to increase the payout of almost every claim that we have been able to review simply by communicating with the adjusters a few details that were left out. We have the focus and attention to detail to ensure any mistakes and oversights are brought to attention for your benefit.

Count on our team of reliable residential and commercial roofing pros to ensure you get the fair and adequate compensation you deserve for your storm damage claim. Call us at the following numbers: (541) 313-5944 (Bend), (503) 967-9590 (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego) and (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton). You can also use this contact form to reach us.