At BVJ Roofing, we’ve been in the roofing business here in Arkansas for over 16 years. We’ve seen it all—hail the size of golf balls, gusts of wind strong enough to peel shingles like banana skins, and enough rain to make Noah scratch his head.
If there’s one question we get asked more than any other, it’s this: “Do I call my insurance company first or a roofing contractor?” It’s a good question. We’ve found that the answer isn’t always what people expect, but I’ll break it down plain and simple.
Most people think they must call their insurance company when they spot a leak or see shingles flying off the roof. But here’s the thing: the insurance company isn’t going to send someone out right away with a ladder and a tarp. No, sir. They will need evidence—photos, a damage assessment, maybe even a detailed report. And unless you know exactly what you’re looking at, you’re better off leaving that to a professional roofer.
Let me put it this way: If your car breaks down on the side of the road, you wouldn’t call your insurance before talking to a mechanic, would you? The same principle applies here. A trusted roofing contractor can:
Without this initial inspection, you could claim it gets denied or only covers part of the repair costs.
Calling your insurance company first can open up a whole can of worms. They’ll ask questions immediately, and if you don’t have the correct information handy, it could work against you. The adjuster might downplay the damage or say it’s insufficient to meet your deductible. Worse yet, once you file a claim, it goes on your insurance record—even if denied. Too many claims and your premiums start climbing.
Think about it like this: You wouldn’t tell your car insurance company every time you hear a strange noise under the hood, would you? No, you’d get a mechanic to check it out first to see if it’s worth worrying about. The same goes for your roof.
We’d be lying if we said there aren’t times when it’s best to call your insurance company first. Suppose your roof gets torn up during a big storm, and there’s apparent severe damage. In that case, you may need to contact your insurance provider immediately—especially if water is pouring into your living room. In those cases, your insurance company might be able to send out emergency services to help mitigate the damage.
But in my experience, that’s the exception, not the rule. Usually, calling a roofer first will save you time, money, and headaches. We know what to look for, we can document the damage properly, and we’ll help you decide if making a claim is worth it. Plus, if you need to make a claim, you’ll have all the evidence to back it up.
We’ve seen people making the same mistakes time and time again. Let us save you the trouble:
Here’s what I recommend, plain and simple:
When it comes to roof damage, you’ve got to get your ducks in a row before you start making phone calls. You’re protecting yourself and your wallet by contacting a roofing company first.
If you are struggling with a similar situation, you just need to reach out to BVJ Roofing; by choosing us, you can rest assured that we are a reputable and reliable roofing company in Arkansas that puts your needs first because we work for you, not the insurance company.
