Insurance Claim Assistance?
Our expertise and knowledge insures the best results possible in functionality and appearance. We represent your best interest in regards to achieving the optimum settlement to make all necessary repairs. We recommend that you consult with one of our knowledgeable, helpful, and professional adjusters before filing a claim.
In many cases, homeowners’ insurance covers roof replacements – but making a roof insurance claim can be incredibly difficult. For many people, there’s always a fear that they’ll say the wrong thing and the insurance company will deny the claim. The bottom line is that roof work can be expensive, and you’ll want your insurance company to cover as much of the cost as possible.
If you’re making a roof insurance claim, these are the five things you need to know:
1) What types of roof damage does your insurance policy cover?
2) What about wind and hail damage?
3) What won’t your insurance policy cover when it comes to roof replacement?
4) What is your deductible when you make a roof insurance claim?
5) What are the steps to filing a roof insurance claim?
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Your homeowner’s insurance policy most likely covers your roof – but you’ll need to read your own policy to find out how extensive your coverage is. For most people, these policies cover the home’s entire structure, including the roof, for issues that are sudden or accidental and are caused by specific events (such as hail, wind, fire or the weight of snow) that you don’t have any control over.
Sometimes, when the damage is so significant that it shortens a roof’s lifespan, the insurance company will cover the cost for a roof replacement. That’s because the insurance company’s bottom line is its primary focus; paying for repairs and then paying for a replacement due to the same incident would cost the company money twice.
For example, if your roof is damaged by hail and the extent of the damage is such that your roof is likely to only last ten more years rather than twenty, the insurance company will most likely decide that it makes more financial sense to replace your roof now and not have to pay for another claim in the near future. That can even be true if your roof isn’t so damaged that it’s leaking, so it’s always in your best interest to have someone from your insurance company inspect the damage after you’ve had a professional roofer look at the issues.
Pro Tip: If nobody has the materials to repair your roof, your insurance company may have to replace the whole thing. That means if you have slate roofing materials, for example, that are no longer available, the insurance company may be forced to cover the cost of a complete roof replacement with different materials. Every case is different, though, so you should always talk to a professional roofer about roof insurance claims before you speak with your insurance adjuster.
Wind and hail can really do a number on your roof. In many cases, insurance companies are willing to cover the cost of repairs or a roof replacement due to hail or wind. However, there are often different coverage levels for hail and wind damage than there are for other types of damage. That’s generally because wind and hail damage is more likely than other types, such as fire.
Many insurance policies won’t cover some types of roof insurance claims, such as those caused by a lack of maintenance. If your shingles are cracked, worn or missing and that damage leads to a leak, there’s a good chance that your roof insurance claim will be denied.
Your insurance company can even look at your lack of maintenance before wind or hail damage and cite that as the reason your roof took such a hit. (In our book, that means you probably need to take advantage of our free annual roof inspection now.)
As with all other types of insurance, you’ll most likely have to pay a deductible when you make a roof insurance claim. That means you’ll have to pay for a certain amount of the repairs or replacement before your insurance company kicks in and pays the remainder of the cost. Your deductible may be higher for wind and hail damage than it is for other types of roof damage, as well, so you’ll want to take a good look at your policy to see how much you’re liable for before you call the insurance company.
If you intend to file a roof insurance claim on your own, without help from a local roofing contractor, here’s what to do:
1) Read your insurance policy. You’ll know how to choose your battles after you understand what type of coverage you’ve been paying for.
2) Have a professional assess the damage. You need a roofing expert to diagnose your roof’s issues.
3) Get an estimate. Ask a professional roof inspector for an estimate on repair or replacement costs; don’t rely on an insurance adjuster (who works for your insurance company, not you) to give you an accurate estimate of the cost. Get the estimate in writing, too. You need to know what to tell your insurance company when you call.
4) Be quick. Don’t wait when your roof is damaged – file your claim immediately. There are two reasons you should act quickly: First, damage only becomes worse with time, and second, dirt and normal weather can make it tough to discern what damage has been done and what damage was already there.
5) Keep records of all your correspondence with the insurance company. Even if your claim seems simple, if you can’t rely on documentation (including photos of the damage), it could fall apart quickly.
If your roof has been damaged and you need to talk to a roofing expert about a roof insurance claim, we’re here to help. Call our office today – we’ll be happy to answer your questions and schedule a roof inspection.
