Making a roof insurance claim can be a daunting process. You hope that everything goes smoothly, but there is always the chance that something could go wrong and your claim gets denied.
This can be a costly mistake, especially if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything about roofing insurance claims including when you should think about making a claim, what is covered and some common issues that can pop up when you file a roof insurance claim. We will also provide some tips on what to do if your claim is denied.
When Should I File an Insurance Claim on My Roof?
Most homeowners might think about filing a claim on their roof if they see aging shingles or roof leaks. However, some roofing issues may not be as obvious to the untrained eye.
Some common signs of damage include:
Roof Leaks – You might notice water stains on your ceiling or walls after rainstorms or melting snow if there are holes in your roof’s flashing (metal strips around chimneys and vents) due to rusting by high humidity.
Missing Shingles – This could cause roof leaks and other damage if left unchecked.
Damaged Flashing or Decking – If the roof decking has been damaged, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Weather Damage – Wind and hail can dislodge roofing materials from your roof.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to start looking up trusted roofing professionals before filing an Insurance claim. Many roofing contractors offer free roof inspections to help you determine whether or not your roof is damaged.
What is Covered by My Insurance Policy?
Most homeowners insurance policy will cover roof damage from storms, wind, hail and other natural events. However, there are usually exclusions for roofs that have been deemed as neglectful or worn down.
In order to be covered by your policy, it’s important to keep up with regular roof maintenance including inspecting shingles and flashing every year and cleaning out gutters regularly.
Some common issues that are often denied by insurance companies include:
- Roof replacement due to age or wear and tear
- Damage caused by lack of maintenance
- Hail damage that was not severe enough to cause roof leaks
- Roof damage caused by snow or ice buildup on the roof
- Damage from animals, birds or rodents (most policies do not cover this)
What You Need To File an Insurance Claim on Your Roof
In order to file a roof claim, you’ll need some additional information. First, it helps if you know how long your roof has been installed and when the last time was that any roof maintenance or repairs were done on it.
Then you need to ask yourself these 5 questions, if you don’t know the answers, your insurance company should be able to answer them for you:
- What is the expected cost?
- What is your deductible amount?
- What is your claims history?
- Is it cheaper, in the long run, to pay for repairs out of your own pocket?
- Do you lose any discounts for making a claim?
After answering these, if possible, take photos of the roof damage and keep them handy in case they are needed later on down the road. Then contact your insurance company to let them know about what happened so they can start processing your claim immediately.
The important thing is not letting things go by too far without doing anything at all because that could cost you more money than necessary down the line!
What You Should Do If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied?
If you receive notice from an insurance adjuster or roofing company that your roof claim has been denied, you should immediately contact a roofing contractor to inspect your roof.
This will allow them to determine what the problem is and if it can be fixed without having an insurance claim filed at all (which will save money).
If there are damages found during this inspection, the roofing contractor may be able to work with the insurance company to file a supplemental claim.
However, if it is determined that your roof needs to be replaced, you will most likely have to go through the process of filing an insurance claim in order to get it paid for.
In either case, it’s important to have someone on your side who has experience with roof claims so they can help make sure everything is done correctly from the beginning until the end result.
Most Common Issue’s For Insurance Getting Denied
There are a few common issues that can cause roof insurance claims to get denied. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Not Having the Proper Documentation
One of the most common reasons for roof insurance claims getting denied is because homeowners do not have the proper documentation. Make sure you have all of your paperwork in order before filing a claim. This includes photos of the damage, invoices from roofing contractors, and proof of payment.
Filing a Claim Too Soon
Another reason roof insurance claims get denied is because homeowners file them too soon after the damage occurs. Insurance companies will often want to inspect the damage themselves before approving a claim. So make sure to wait until you have received an estimate from a roofing contractor before filing a claim.
Insurance Won’t Cover Your Type of Claim
If you’re having roof damage and you file an insurance claim, there’s a good chance your insurance company will deny the claim. This is because most policies do not cover roof damage caused by things like wear and tear
There are some things you can do to help increase your chances of getting the roof insurance claim approved, but if your coverage for your roof doesn’t fall in line with the damage done, your insulation will continue to deny your claim.
Poor Maintenance
One of the most common reasons roof insurance claims are denied is because homeowners have not been taking care of their roof.
If you haven’t had any roof maintenance or repairs done in a while, and especially if the last time was more than two years ago, your roof is likely to be in bad condition.
If this is the case, your insurance company may try to deny your claim on the grounds that the damage was caused by something you could have prevented.
Intentional Damage
In some cases, homeowners may attempt to file a roof insurance claim for damage that was actually done intentionally. This is another situation in which your insurance company is likely to deny the claim.
Intentional damage can be anything from trying to install shingles yourself or something simple like putting up Christmas lights and having your foot go through your roof.
Bad Communication With Your Insurer
The result of bad communication between yourself, a roofing company and your insurance can also lead to claims getting denied.
Not answering emails, phone calls or not having the correct information are all ways communication can be lost.
Making sure you are organized and have a designated point of contact will help to avoid any miscommunications. Ensure that all of the facts of what happened to your roof and the damage that was done are correct.
Insurance companies will deny claims when any kind of lying or misinformation comes up so being organized is key to making the process run smoothly.
Get the Roofing Experts to Help You File Your Claim
T Simpson Roofing knows how frustrating it can be to deal with an insurance claim, which is why with our over 25 years of experience helping homeowners, we can help you from start to finish.
We provide full write-ups and roof damage reports to your insurance company, including required photos and estimates to replace the damages. We also work directly with roofing insurance companies to ensure a quick and hassle-free roof replacement process.
If you would like more information about our roofing services, please visit our contact us page using the link below.
