Insurance Claims

Insurance Claims Assistance — We Fight For Your Coverage

Filing an insurance claim after storm damage, water damage, or a fire shouldn’t be a second disaster. But for most homeowners, that’s exactly what it feels like. You’re already dealing with damage to your home, and now you’re expected to navigate a complicated claims process, interpret policy language, and negotiate with an adjuster whose job is to minimize the payout. That’s where The Helping Company is different from every other contractor in Southeastern PA. With over 25 years of experience working insurance restoration claims, our owner Travis Frees has personally managed hundreds of property damage claims from first notice of loss through final supplement payment. We don’t just fix your roof or dry your basement — we manage the entire insurance process so you get the coverage your policy entitles you to. We work with all insurance carriers, we write our estimates in Xactimate (the same software your insurance company uses), and we know how to document damage in the language adjusters understand. When your claim gets shorted, we push back. When your claim gets denied unfairly, we help you fight it.

How Our Insurance Claims Process Works

Step 1: Free Property Inspection

We start with a thorough inspection of your property at no cost to you. For roofing and exterior damage, our HAAG Certified Inspectors identify hail impacts, wind damage, and other storm-related issues that many contractors (and even some adjusters) miss. For water and fire losses, our IICRC-certified team documents the full scope of damage including hidden moisture, structural concerns, and secondary damage.

Step 2: Claim Filing & Documentation

If we find legitimate damage, we help you file your claim with your insurance company. We provide comprehensive documentation including photos, measurements, damage diagrams, and a detailed Xactimate estimate. This documentation package is prepared to insurance industry standards — because that’s the language adjusters speak.

Step 3: Adjuster Meeting & Negotiation

When your insurance company sends their adjuster, we meet them at your property. Having a knowledgeable contractor present during the inspection makes a significant difference in claim outcomes. We walk the adjuster through every item of damage, explain the required scope of repairs, and ensure nothing is overlooked. If their initial estimate falls short, we negotiate — professionally and persistently — until the numbers reflect the actual cost to properly repair your home.

Step 4: Repairs & Restoration

Once the claim is approved, our production team handles the repairs. Roofing, siding, gutters, windows, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, interior repairs — we do it all in-house. You don’t need to find a separate contractor. We coordinate the entire project and keep you informed every step of the way.

Step 5: Supplements & Final Payment

Many insurance claims require supplemental payments for damage or repair needs that weren’t captured in the initial estimate. Hidden damage, code upgrades, and material price increases are common examples. We handle all supplement submissions and follow up with your carrier until every dollar owed is collected. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for work your policy covers.

Types of Insurance Claims We Handle

Roof damage from hail, wind, fallen trees, and severe storms
Siding, gutter, and window damage from storm events
Water damage from burst pipes, appliance failures, ice dams, and plumbing leaks
Mold damage resulting from covered water losses
Interior damage including drywall, flooring, ceilings, and personal property

What Makes Our Claims Process Different

25 Years of Claims Experience — We’re not salespeople who learned roofing we’re restoration professionals who understand insurance inside and out. Our owner holds an IICRC Master designation, the highest certification in the restoration industry.

We Speak the Insurance Company’s Language — We prepare our estimates using the same Xactimate software your insurance company uses. This eliminates the back-and-forth that happens when contractors submit estimates in formats adjusters can’t work with.

HAAG Certified Inspectors — Our inspectors hold HAAG Engineering certifications, which are recognized by insurance companies nationwide as the gold standard for storm damage assessment. When we say there’s damage, our documentation backs it up.

One Company, Start to Finish — We don’t hand you off to another company for repairs. We manage the entire project — from the first phone call to the final nail — so there’s one point of contact and no gaps in communication.

We Don’t Leave Money on the Table — We handle all supplement submissions and follow up persistently until you receive every dollar your policy covers. Many contractors don’t bother with supplements — we consider it a core part of the job.

No Cost Unless There’s a Claim — Our inspections are always free. If we don’t find damage, we’ll tell you. We’d rather earn your trust today and your business down the road than push a claim that doesn’t exist.

Insurance Claims Resources

Insurance Claims Process
Hail Size vs. Typical Damage Summary
Identifying Shingle Damage
Hail Damage to Asphalt Roof Shingles
GAF Technical Advisory Bulletin

These resources are provided to help homeowners understand storm damage and the insurance claims process. If you have questions about your specific situation, call us — we’re happy to walk you through it.

Insurance Claims FAQs

Do I have to pay anything out of pocket?

Your insurance policy includes a deductible, which is your responsibility. Beyond that, legitimate damage covered by your policy should be paid by your insurance company. We work to ensure the insurance estimate covers the full scope of repairs so you’re not left paying the difference.

Will filing a claim raise my insurance rates?

Rate increases depend on your carrier, your claims history, and the type of loss. Storm damage claims (which are considered “acts of God”) typically have less impact on premiums than negligence-related claims. We recommend discussing this with your insurance agent if you have concerns, but in most cases, filing a legitimate claim for real damage is exactly what your policy is for.

How long do I have to file a claim after a storm?

Most insurance policies require you to report damage promptly, though the exact timeframe varies by carrier and policy. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations on property damage claims is generally two years, but we strongly recommend filing as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the damage was storm-related.

Can I choose my own contractor, or does my insurance company decide?

You always have the right to choose your own contractor. Your insurance company may recommend their “preferred vendors,” but you are not obligated to use them. In fact, having an independent contractor who advocates for you — rather than one with a financial relationship with the carrier — often results in a better outcome for the homeowner.

What is a supplement, and why might I need one?

A supplement is an additional payment request submitted to your insurance company for damage or repair costs that weren’t included in the original estimate. Supplements are common on larger projects where hidden damage is discovered during repairs, where code upgrades are required, or where material costs have changed. We handle all supplementing as part of our standard process.

Think you have storm damage? Had a water or fire loss?

Call The Helping Company at 610-234-2210 for a free inspection. We’ll assess the damage, help you file your claim, and manage the entire process from start to finish. 25 years of insurance claims experience. All carriers accepted.

The Helping Company, LLC

306 N Kenhorst Blvd
Reading, PA 19607

Get Directions

Contact

Phone: 610-234-2210
Email: Admin@thcexteriors.com

Office Hours

Open 24/7