Until a storm, a falling tree, or even those annoying neighborhood squirrels cause havoc, we can take our roof for granted. To lower your out-of-pocket expenses, you should file a homeowners insurance claim if you notice damage to your roof. But it might not be obvious where to begin.
- Unfortunately, your insurance company may reject your claim as a result of an administrative error if you don’t follow the correct procedures when filing a roof claim.
- The roof of your house is undoubtedly the part that is exposed to the elements the most.
- The dwelling coverage section of your homeowners insurance policy should typically protect you from such perils because the roof is a crucial component of the structure of your home.
- The homeowner is entitled to a full or partial roof replacement due to damage and destruction caused by such events.
- Naturally, before your coverage begins, you’ll still need to pay your policy deductible.
Understanding your roofing insurance coverage.
Look at your homeowners insurance and the roof coverage it provides when you first notice damage to your roof. If you’ve never paid much attention to your policy, it might take a little bit of research, but the knowledge will also help you make more informed financial choices about roof repairs. You can also ask your insurance agent for a copy of your policy.Most insurance companies provide two different types of roof insurance: replacement and repair coverage. Repair coverage typically pays the homeowner a portion of the repair costs. The replacement of a roof that is beyond repair is covered by replacement coverage. These policies cost more and make it more challenging to have a claim accepted. Because of this, it’s crucial to take pictures of the damage and file a claim as soon as you can.
Unfortunately, homeowners insurance won’t always pay for roof damage. Your specific policy, where you are, and how the damage was caused will all affect your coverage. As an illustration, a hailstorm that damages a roof might be covered because it was an unusual and unforeseen occurrence. However, due to the frequency of these occurrences, the homeowner’s lack of hurricane-related coverage, or failure to take adequate precautions, a hurricane that damages a roof in Florida might not be covered.
Keep a record of the damage, then get in touch with your insurance provider.
The next step is to document the damage after you’ve decided that your roof damage is (or should be) covered by your homeowners insurance. Take a lot of pictures, including the inside of your house as well as the exterior damage. Use a ladder that is tall enough for you to carefully climb if you feel comfortable doing so in order to take pictures. An even safer option is to use a drone equipped with a camera. Call an expert roofing company for an inspection, though, if you can’t safely assess all the damage; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Also take note of the damage’s date. Find online articles that correspond to the date of the storm that damaged your roof, such as a tornado or hurricane, to support your claim. After that, look on the website of your insurance provider for instructions on filing a claim. Many policies mandate that the homeowner submit their claim within a specific window of time following the incident. Knowing your insurance provider’s procedures is important because if you wait too long, they might reject your claim.
Hire the most reputable roofing companies by doing research.
Find a reputable roofing company with insurance claims experience to perform a roofing inspection after you’ve submitted your roof insurance claim. They could investigate any damage and put together a report for your insurance company. Your insurance provider might hire a professional to inspect the roof on their behalf if you don’t hire professionals yourself. This third-party inspector is acting on behalf of the insurance company, so they may look for any justification to reject your claim. The best chance you have to get your insurance to cover your roof repairs is to take charge and hire your own inspectors.
Find a company that offers services for both roof replacement and roof installation for the most popular roofing materials in Florida, such as shingle, tile, and metal roofing, before doing anything else. A trustworthy roofing business should also have a website and a Google My Business page with client testimonials. It will be simpler for the roofers you select to communicate with your insurance company and provide evidence that your claim is legitimate if they have experience handling insurance claims. Your roof will be replaced properly by a reputable roofing company without causing additional damage or overcharging you. If you select roofers with a bad (or no) reputation, your subsequent insurance claims may actually be denied.
Watch out for insurance fraudsters and storm chasers.
You run the risk of being taken advantage of by scammers when insurance is involved. After a significant storm, con artists will go door-to-door in the neighborhood offering a free roof; be aware that this is probably not a legitimate company. The door-to-door salespeople will make a valiant effort to persuade you to sign on the dotted line.
Some roof damage causes, but not all of them, are covered by insurance, as we discussed earlier. If the salesperson claims that an old, worn-out roof qualifies for an insurance claim, something is not right. They might also assert that the damage is so severe that you must act right away.
Another strategy is to offer you a good deal simply because they are nearby, but you must act quickly. These pushy sales techniques are red flags that this is an unreliable company. You can try a variety of methods to spot con artists. For starters, request a copy of their liability insurance as well as any other licenses or certifications that a reputable roofing company ought to have. Additionally, it is preferable if they have a local office. Ask for a business license and an address. Last but not least, you should look up this company’s reputation online to see if there have been any complaints.
Step up your roof replacement claim by taking the right next steps.
Your insurance company has the right to decide what to do after you submit your insurance claim and ask a roofing company to provide supporting documentation. The insurance agent will inform you of the outcome of your claim after their allotted time period (typically about 15 days). You have the right to file an appeal if they reject your claim. Consult your insurance agent for advice as these processes vary by insurance provider.
Your ability to work with the contractors of your choice to complete the installation of your new roof will depend on whether your roofing claim is approved. Regular maintenance not only keeps your roof in great shape, but it also makes it simpler to get future roofing claims approved because you’ll have written reports and photos documenting the roof’s previous condition.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of a New Roof
Depending on the roofing material used, the average cost of a roof replacement can range from $1.50 to $4.50 or more per square foot. Occasionally, roofing estimates will give prices per “square,” which is defined as a 10′ x 10′ area, or 100 square feet (you might see a quote for $325 per square, for example). For the cost of repairing your asphalt shingles, someone might be able to assist you. For tile and metal roofs, budget a little extra. Here are some suggestions for reducing the cost of repairs and replacements:
- Perform research Before speaking with contractors, be aware of the dimensions and complexity of your roof as well as the precise materials you want installed.
- Compare prices: Compare prices from various roofers before choosing one, and always ask for and check local references. A warranty on the materials and installation should be provided by roofers. Be wary of extremely low bids because they might indicate poor quality work.
- Time it properly: Fall and late summer are the busiest seasons for roofers. Late winter or early spring roofing replacement appointments may result in lower costs or off-season savings.
- Own it (or a portion of it): Think about handling some of the work yourself. If you have the time, the right tools, and the stamina for heights, you might be able to save money by removing the old roofing before the installer shows up.
- Think about an overlay: A roof overlay entails adding fresh shingles on top of older ones. Overlays are less expensive and require fewer labor hours than a complete replacement because the old roofing is left in place. However, a roofing overlay might void or reduce the manufacturer’s warranty. Due to increased labor costs and job waste, overlays also frequently result in higher future replacement costs.
Herts Construction is a full-service roofing and home renovation company committed to enhancing residential and commercial structures. Our team is here to listen to your needs and wants so that we can give you the home of your dreams.
We are experts at restoring your home’s interior and exterior. Our objective is to provide our customers with a remarkable experience as we realize their vision for their ideal home. We strive to provide excellent service in order to give homeowners peace of mind all year long. From restoring homes to managing insurance claims, we have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right.
