What You Need To Know About The Roof Insurance Claim Process

Written by admin on December 19, 2022 at 10:52 AM.

According to Forbes, if your roof needs to be replaced, you’re looking at an average bill of $31,535 for asphalt shingles and $51,436 for metal roofs. That’s quite a hefty sum of money. Roof repair is no joke, financially, and the roof insurance claim process can be tricky.

Homeowners insurance can cover the cost after certain types of roof damage, but you can’t always count on your insurance company. Here’s what is covered, what isn’t, and step by step tips to file a roof damage claim.

Roof Damage Claims Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Dwelling coverage from your homeowners insurance covers the house structure, including the roof. This, however, depends on the type of damage in your roof claim.

Roofs are particularly vulnerable to weather conditions, so it is important to check your roof regularly for any signs of roof damage or wear and tear. Damage can be caused by events such as severe storms, hail storms, high winds, lightning strikes, and fallen trees. Roofs may also suffer from age-related deterioration due to lack of maintenance or exposure to the elements. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to claim the following types of damage:

• Storm Damage: If your roof is damaged due to a storm, you may be able to make an insurance claim. Roofs are particularly vulnerable during periods of high or sustained wind speeds and can sustain serious structural damage if left unchecked.
• Hail Damage: If your roof has been damaged by hail stones, then you may be covered. You can buy only actual cash coverage for hail damage if your roof is too old to qualify for replacement value coverage.
• Wind Damage: Home insurance generally covers wind damage to roofs, but some insurers exclude certain types of hurricane-related damage.

Partial Roof Damage Insurance

Partial Roof Damage Insurance is designed to cover the cost of any repairs or replacement parts that may be needed as a result of partial roof damage. This type of insurance can help to protect your home from costly repairs or replacements due to unexpected events such as storms, fires, or falling branches.

Matching Issues With Roof Material

If the materials to fix your roof are unavailable, your insurance provider may have to perform a roof replacement for the entire thing.

What’s Not Covered by Roof Insurance?

Certain Roof Insurance claims are not covered such as wear and tear due to aging, normal maintenance issues, or damage caused by prior owner negligence

Homeowners insurance also won’t cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes, including roof damage. If you live in an area at risk for these disasters, consider flood insurance or earthquake insurance.

It is important to understand what your Roof Insurance policy covers so you can make sure you have the necessary protection against unexpected roof damage expenses. If you are unsure about the details of your Roof Insurance policy or want to ensure you are adequately protected in the future, speak with your insurance agent for more information.

Important: Remember Your Insurance Deductible

You should also be aware that Roof Insurance policies may contain deductibles that must be met before coverage is available. Your home insurance deductible is the amount you must pay for repairs before your insurance company covers the rest of the cost.

What to Do When Filing Your Roofing Insurance Claim

When filing a Roof Insurance claim, it is important to take photographs of the damaged area and provide detailed reports and estimates for the damages incurred.

An insurance adjuster will review the information and determine if you qualify for coverage based on your policy details.

In some cases, Roof Insurance claims require additional roof inspections by a qualified roofing contractor before they are approved. To help with your insurance claim, you may want to choose an established, reputable contractor. One with proper insurance and licensing.

Tips: What to Do If You Get Roof Damage

• Protect your home from further damage: preventing further damage when possible is often a requirement in homeowners insurance policies, and further damage may not be covered. You may need to put up a tarp while you alert your insurer.
• Make Temporary Repairs: Ask your roofer to make temporary repairs to your home, if needed, to protect it from further damage. Do not make any proper repairs before your home is inspected by an insurance adjuster.
• Schedule a roof inspection: you may want to schedule a roof inspection after incurring damage. This may also make your insurance claim process faster and help your insurance adjuster with their roof inspection.
• Don’t get multiple estimates: If you get multiple estimates from roofing companies, your insurance company will want to see all of them and may only accept the lowest one. The lowest estimate may not be the best quality.

Consider roofing materials that will get you a discount: Research materials that will be more durable than your current roof. Your insurance company might be willing to offer a discount for impact-resistant roofing. Check with the insurer on roof material discounts before you make a final pick.

 

Get Help With Your Roof Damage Claims From Stellar Public Adjusters

Depending on the extent of damage incurred, Roof Insurance can cover up to half of all roof repair costs. To make sure you get the most from your insurance company, you should contact Stellar Public Adjusters. Unlike the insurance adjuster from your provider, we advocate on your behalf and ensure you get what you are owed.

Contacting a public adjuster is an important financial decision that makes you more money. The claims process is complex and we know our way around the business. We make sure the insurance agency will pay a fair amount with our expert team of adjusters.

If you’ve recently filed a roof damage claim, contact Stellar Public Adjusters. Our experts are here to help you! Use our web form to contact us today. If you have an urgent problem that requires immediate assistance, call our office at 305-570-3519. We are open 24/7!