Claims
Insurance Claims & Restoration
Roof damage from hail, wind or a storm? Total Exteriors is a local insurance restoration contractor in Calgary. Our HAAG-certified team inspects and documents the damage, works with your adjuster and restores your property to its pre-loss condition.
Insurance restoration that works on your behalf
Total Exteriors has handled exterior insurance claims in the Calgary area since 2014. Insurance companies dispatch us to inspect damaged properties and provide a detailed scope of loss, and homeowners, condo boards and property managers also call us directly. Either way, the property owner is always our customer.
We restore roofs, siding, stucco, eavestroughs, windows and doors after hail, wind and storm damage, on houses as well as condo and commercial buildings. Our inspectors are HAAG-certified, and we are BBB accredited with an A+ rating.
What to do after storm damage:
Make sure everyone is safe: stay off the roof, keep away from downed power lines and do not use open flames if you smell gas.
If it is safe, prevent further damage, for example by covering an opening with a tarp. Keep your receipts.
Take photos or video of the damage and note the date and time of the storm.
Call your insurance company with your policy number and ask for a claim number.
Tell them where you can be reached, especially if you cannot stay in your home or business.
Ask for your property to be examined by a certified contractor, and give us your claim number.
Call Total Exteriors or report your claim online to book an inspection.
Do not throw away damaged materials without your adjuster’s approval.
How a roof damage insurance claim works with Total Exteriors
Every claim is different, but most hail and wind claims follow the same steps. Here is what happens and who does what.
1. Inspection
A HAAG-certified inspector checks the roof, siding, eavestroughs, windows and other exterior surfaces, including damage that is hard to see from the ground, such as bruised shingles and cracked flashings.
2. Documentation and photo report
We record each type of damage with photos and measurements, then prepare an estimate with supporting documentation for your insurance company.
3. Meeting the adjuster
Where possible, we meet your adjuster on site so everyone looks at the same damage. The adjuster reports to the insurance company, which confirms what it will pay for.
4. Agreeing the scope
Once your insurer, you and Total Exteriors agree on the scope of work, we review it with you and help you choose materials and colours. Insurance normally pays for materials of like kind and quality.
5. Deductible and authorization
Before work starts, you sign a work authorization and pay your deductible. Upgrades are available at your request; because insurance does not usually cover them, we ask for a 50% deposit on the extra cost, with the balance due at completion.
6. Repairs
We schedule the job, arrange material delivery, notify your insurer when work starts and keep you updated on what is being done and when.
7. Completion
When the work is finished, you sign a completion certificate, which your insurer needs to close the file. We collect payment once the project is completed to your satisfaction, and manufacturer warranty documents are available on request.
What home insurance usually covers, and what it doesn’t
Usually covered
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, wind and hail are standard insured perils for the exterior of a building, and interior damage is covered if the storm first creates an opening, such as a torn-off section of roof. That is why most roof damage insurance claims in Calgary are hail or wind claims. Coverage depends on your policy, so check the wording with your broker or insurer.
Usually not covered
Wear and tear is not an insured peril. The IBC notes that the gradual deterioration of shingle roofing is natural and expected, so a roof that leaks because it is worn out, or because of poor maintenance, is usually not covered. Total Exteriors does not interpret insurance policies; your adjuster confirms what is covered.
Hail, wind and storm damage we restore
Calgary sits in Canada’s hail alley. We repair hail damage to roofs, siding, stucco and eavestroughs, wind damage such as lifted shingles, torn flashings and loose siding, and storm leaks. If water is coming in, our emergency call-out service can tarp the roof. For a full walkthrough, read our hail damage roof insurance claim guide.
Why a local HAAG-certified contractor, not a storm chaser
After big storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors offering free inspections, and some offer to “absorb” your deductible, which amounts to insurance fraud. A local contractor is still here to stand behind the work and deal with your insurer if something goes wrong. Before you sign anything, read our guide to choosing a roofing contractor and avoiding storm chasers.
Insurance Deductibles for Alberta Condo Owners
Since January 1, 2020, Section 62.4 of Alberta’s Condominium Property Regulation has allowed a condo corporation to recover its insurance deductible, up to $50,000, from an owner when the damage originates in that owner’s unit or privacy area. Owners can obtain deductible coverage in their unit owner’s policy, so ask your broker. Total Exteriors works with condo boards and property managers on condo building exterior claims.
Condo Insurance Notice
On January 1, 2020 there was a significant change made under Section 62.4 of the Condominium Property Regulations. Please see the attached notice:
Insurance claim FAQs
Does home insurance cover roof replacement in Calgary?
If hail or wind damaged the roof, repair or replacement is usually covered, minus your deductible. If the roof is simply worn out, it usually is not. Your adjuster decides what your policy covers.
Is a roof leak covered by insurance?
A leak caused by sudden hail or wind damage is usually covered, including interior water damage when the storm created the opening. A leak from an old or poorly maintained roof usually is not. Either way, call us first to find the source and stop further damage.
How long does an insurance roof claim take?
It depends on your insurer and the season. In most cases we prepare an estimate within five days of receiving a scope of work, and repairs are scheduled once it is approved by you and your adjuster. After a major hailstorm, demand rises and schedules get longer.
Can I choose my own contractor for an insurance claim?
Usually, yes. Tell your insurer you want your property examined by a certified contractor and give us your claim number. If you would rather not make a claim, we also do private work.
Do I have to pay my deductible?
Yes. Your deductible is paid to Total Exteriors before work begins, along with the cost of any upgrades you choose. Be wary of any contractor who offers to waive it.
Had hail, wind or storm damage? Report a claim online or call (403) 313-4932. For emergencies, call our 24/7 line at (403) 407-0208.
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