A nor’easter tears through Moncton overnight. By morning, a homeowner finds three shingles in her backyard. By noon, a water stain is spreading across her living room ceiling. By evening, she’s on the phone with her insurance company, confused, frustrated, and unsure whether she’s covered. Sound familiar?
Storm damage claims are one of the most misunderstood corners of home insurance, and New Brunswick homeowners get caught off guard more often than you’d think. Before you spiral into paperwork purgatory, here’s what you should know.
What Does Home Insurance Typically Cover?
Most standard home insurance policies in New Brunswick cover sudden, accidental damage from insured perils: wind, hail, falling trees, ice damming, and, yes, storm-related roof damage. The keyword is sudden. If a nor’easter tears off your flashing or punches a hole through your shingles, that’s typically a covered event.
What insurers routinely deny? Pre-existing wear and tear, age-related deterioration, or damage that they determine was caused by poor maintenance. This is exactly why having a documented, well-maintained roof is your single biggest asset when you approach a claim with insurance claim intent.
The Fine Print Nobody Reads Until It’s Too Late
Your deductible matters enormously here. Some New Brunswick policies carry separate wind or hail deductibles, sometimes a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. A $250,000 home with a 2% deductible means you’re absorbing $5,000 before insurance moves a dollar. Read that policy before storm season, not after.
Also worth noting: insurers will send their own adjuster. That adjuster works for the insurer. Getting an independent assessment from a qualified roofing contractor before you sign off on any settlement is not paranoia; it’s just smart.
What You Should Do the Moment You Notice Damage
Don’t wait. Delay gives insurers ammunition to argue secondary damage was caused by your inaction, not the storm. Here’s a simple approach:
- Document everything with photos and video immediately after the event
- Call a trusted local roofing contractor for an independent damage assessment before the adjuster visits
- File your claim promptly and keep records of every conversation
Why Your Choice of Contractor Changes Everything
Here’s where it gets important. A contractor who knows roofing and understands the insurance process can make or break your claim outcome. They know what adjusters look for, how to document damage accurately, and what’s genuinely storm-related versus what was already failing.
Your Ready Call to Action
Artisan Roofing has been doing exactly this for New Brunswick homeowners for over 25 years, assessing storm damage, working alongside insurance adjusters, and ensuring clients get roofs that are properly repaired, not just patched. We now proudly serve Moncton, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Halifax, and all surrounding towns and villages across Atlantic Canada.
Every project Artisan completes is backed by a comprehensive GAF lifetime warranty covering both materials and installation, GAF being one of North America’s largest roofing manufacturers. That’s protection that extends well beyond the storm season. And if cost is a concern, Artisan now offers flexible financing options so the project gets done right without the financial stress.
Don’t Let the Storm Win Twice
The storm already tested your roof. Don’t let the claims process test your patience the same way. Get a team in your corner that knows what they are doing and has the track record to prove it. Visit Artisanroofing.ca to book your inspection and get the answers you need from people who’ve seen it all.
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