Know What Happened to Your Property—and What to Do Next.
After a hailstorm or windstorm, the damage to your property may extend beyond the roof. Siding, gutters, windows, screens, exterior finishes, and other components may also be affected.
But identifying damage is only one part of the process. Understanding your insurance coverage, knowing what questions to ask, and deciding on the right next step can be just as important.
I’m Gerald Winik, owner of Winik LLC. I provide independent property inspections and insurance claim consulting to help homeowners understand their property’s condition, document potential storm damage, and navigate the decisions that follow.
My inspection fee is $100. I don’t sell or install roofs, so I’m not approaching your property with a roofing replacement to sell you. My role is to help you understand what I find and what your options may be.
Did the September 20 Storm Affect Your Roof?
Hundreds of Elizabeth homeowners may not see the storm damage from the ground. Find out what condition your property is in before deciding whether repairs or an insurance claim make sense.
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(719) 210-8699No pressure to replace your roof. Just a professional assessment to help you understand your options.
A Storm Inspection Is About More Than Your Roof
Hail and wind can affect multiple parts of a property. Depending on the storm and the construction of your home, a thorough inspection may consider:
- Roofing: Potential hail or wind damage to shingles, metal, flashing, vents, and other roof components.
- Gutters and downspouts: Dents, impact marks, and other signs of possible storm damage.
- Siding, windows, and screens: Potential impact damage to exterior surfaces and components.
- Other exterior property components: Additional areas that may warrant attention based on the property and observed conditions.
The goal is to identify and document relevant observations—not to assume every mark is storm damage or that every storm results in an insurance claim.
A storm report can tell you that hail or strong winds were reported in an area. It cannot establish what happened to your individual property. That requires looking at the property itself.
Before You File a Claim, Do You Know These Details?
A homeowner can have visible damage and still be uncertain about the best next step. Your insurance policy, the circumstances of the loss, and the evidence available can all matter.
Here are some important questions to understand before moving forward:
What is your deductible?
Do you know the amount you would be responsible for paying? Does your policy have a separate wind or hail deductible, and is it a flat amount or calculated as a percentage? The answer depends on your policy.
Do you have Ordinance or Law coverage?
If repairs trigger applicable building-code requirements, this coverage may help with certain additional costs, subject to your policy terms, limits, and exclusions.
Does your policy contain a marring exclusion or other relevant exclusions?
Some policies treat cosmetic damage differently from functional damage. The wording and application of an exclusion matter, so don’t assume that every dent or mark is covered—or automatically excluded.
What is the correct storm date?
Accurately identifying the date of loss can be important when documenting damage and discussing a claim. Weather reports can help establish context, but they do not prove that a particular storm caused damage to your property.
Who will be there when the insurance adjuster inspects the property?
If you hire a roofing contractor, ask whether that contractor will attend the adjuster’s inspection and explain the damage they identified. Don’t assume they will be present simply because they inspected the roof or provided an estimate.
Do you understand your options before committing to repairs?
You should understand what has been observed, what remains uncertain, what your policy may provide, and what questions need answers before deciding how to proceed.
I help you work through these questions so you can make more informed decisions rather than feeling pressured to act before you understand the situation.
An Independent Perspective—Without a Roof to Sell
A roofing contractor can provide valuable expertise about roofing materials and repairs. However, a contractor who also sells replacement roofs has a commercial interest in the repair or replacement work.
My role is different. I don’t install roofs or sell roofing materials. I provide independent property inspections and consulting to help you evaluate the available information and understand your next steps.
I won’t promise that your insurance company will approve a claim, that every observed condition is covered, or that a claim will result in a particular settlement. Coverage decisions depend on the policy, the facts, and the insurer’s evaluation.
My purpose is to help you approach the process informed, prepared, and with a clearer understanding of your property and your options.
Start With Information, Not Pressure
For $100, I can help you take the first step by discussing your concerns, inspecting your property within the agreed scope, and helping you understand what questions to ask as you consider your next steps.
An inspection doesn’t obligate you to file an insurance claim, replace your roof, or commit to repairs.
You deserve to understand what is happening with your home before making a potentially expensive decision.
Don’t let uncertainty about the insurance process or the cost of repairs keep you from finding out whether your property needs attention.
Call or text Gerald Winik at (719) 210-8699 to discuss your concerns and determine whether an inspection is right for you.
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(719) 210-8699Feeling Overwhelmed or Worried About the Cost? Don’t Ignore the Damage.
I understand why some homeowners put off dealing with possible storm damage. The insurance process can feel confusing, the deductible may be more than they expected, and the thought of paying for repairs out of pocket can be overwhelming.
You may be wondering: What if I can’t afford the repairs? What if my deductible is too high? Is filing a claim even worth it?
Those are reasonable questions. But ignoring possible damage doesn’t make it go away. Some damage can worsen over time, and waiting too long to notify your insurance company may put your ability to pursue coverage at risk.
Don’t assume you have unlimited time to report a storm loss. Some homeowners’ policies require notice of hail or wind damage within one year, while other policies have different requirements. Missing a deadline can jeopardize a claim, depending on your policy and circumstances.
You don’t have to make every decision today, and an inspection doesn’t automatically mean you should file a claim. The first step is understanding what happened to your property, what the potential repair needs are, and what your insurance policy says.
For $100, I can help you take that first step by discussing your concerns, assessing your property’s condition within the agreed inspection scope, and helping you understand the questions you should address before deciding how to proceed.
Getting informed now may help you avoid losing options later.
Call or text Gerald Winik at (719) 210-8699 to discuss your property and determine whether an inspection makes sense for you.
