Roof Replacement and Insurance: The Smart Way to Handle a Storm
If you live in Minnesota, you know that summer storms come with the territory. One minute it’s sunny, the next minute golf ball-sized hail is pounding your roof.
Recently, folks in the southwestern suburbs near Waconia and Victoria got a firsthand reminder of how quickly things can turn. Some good-sized hail rolled through, and we immediately started getting calls from concerned homeowners. Here’s what we told them:
Step One: Call Tonka Roofing
Before you make any insurance calls, give us a shout. Why? Because jumping into the claims process too early can sometimes do more harm than good. If there’s no significant damage, you could end up with a denied claim that still shows up on your record. No fun.
Our team at Tonka Roofing has been through more storms than we can count. We’re not insurance adjusters and we won’t try to interpret your policy. What we will do is put our extensive experience to work for you. We know how to identify true hail damage, assess the materials currently on your roof, and determine whether those products are still available for replacement. If we think a claim is viable, we’ll tell you—and we’ll stand behind our words.
Step Two: Understand What Your Policy Covers
Once you’ve had a trusted contractor (hey, that’s us!) assess your roof and determine whether there’s real damage, then it’s time to talk to your insurance agent. Your local agent can explain what your policy currently covers. Over time, policies often shift from Full Replacement Cost to Actual Cash Value (ACV). And wind/hail deductibles? Those may have increased to $5,000 or even more at your last renewal.
Knowing what you’re on the hook for financially is an important part of deciding whether to move forward with a claim.
Step Three: If It’s a Go, Proceed with the Claim
If the damage is significant and your policy covers it, your agent will guide you through the next steps. Just know that once you call the carrier, a claim is logged—whether it gets paid or not.
Denied or unpaid claims can make switching carriers more complicated. That minor water cleanup two years ago? Combined with a hail claim that didn’t go through, and you may now be seen as a higher-risk customer.
Worse yet, frustration with your current provider might lead you to switch to a new one with cheaper premiums—only to discover that you’ve traded Full Replacement coverage for ACV and now have a higher deductible.
Why All This Matters
We get it. You’ve paid into your insurance for years, and when a big storm hits, it feels like you should get something back. But insurance isn’t a rewards program—it’s about documented, current damage.
That’s why working with a trusted local contractor is key. We’re not here to sell you on something you don’t need. We’re here to give you straight answers and solid support. At Tonka Roofing, we pride ourselves on integrity and transparency.
There are over 10,000 exteriors contractors in Minnesota. Unfortunately, a huge chunk of them are out to make a quick buck. We estimate that 7 out of 10 storm restoration contractors will recommend filing a claim no matter what they see. That’s not how we do business.
Financing Options for Peace of Mind
Even if your policy has changed and your out-of-pocket costs are higher than expected, don’t worry. Tonka Roofing offers excellent financing options to help make the process easier and more affordable.
The Bottom Line
- Call us first.
- Don’t rush into a claim.
- Make informed choices with trusted professionals.
We’re here to help—no pressure, no drama, just good, honest roofing advice.
Stay safe out there,
The Tonka Roofing Team