Tupac de la Cruz, Roofing Solutions
19 Jul 2023
Roof damage from a storm or other disaster like a fallen tree on your roof can be one of the most stressful times for building owners. Not only do you need to make sure your building is safe for occupants, but you also must navigate a complicated insurance claim process that involves adjusters, contractors and your insurance company.
Your property insurance may cover certain types of roof damage, but you can’t always count on a check from your insurance company. Following are some tips for how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement, and what to expect in the process.
According to Investopedia, an insurance claim is a formal request by a policyholder to an insurance company for compensation for a covered loss or policy event. Your insurance company then validates or denies the claim. If the insurance company approves the claim, they will issue payment to you or an approved party on your behalf.
In most states, there are two types of coverage: replacement or repair coverage. Replacement provides coverage to return your roof to a brand-new condition. Repair coverage usually takes into consideration the depreciation of your roof. This means you will get a percentage of the replacement cost based on your roof’s age. This percentage can sometimes be as low as 15% if your roof is near the end of its life cycle.
A paid insurance claim serves to indemnify (compensate) a policyholder against financial loss. In an insurance arrangement, one party agrees to pay for potential losses or damages caused. For property insurance policies, the number of insurance claims you file has a direct impact on your coverage rates. The more claims you file, the greater likelihood of a rate hike. And in some cases, filing too many claims may lead to denied coverage. So insistence is not the best way on how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement.
An important step in how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement is knowing why many insurance claims get denied in the first place.
Roof damage can be one of the most expensive losses for a building owner. This is especially true if the entire roof system needs to be replaced. Insurance companies are particular about the claims they will accept for roof damage. But when an insurance company denies your roof claim, it’s not always the insurance adjuster’s fault. Following are some common reasons why your roof claim may be denied:
Failure to perform routine maintenance on your roof shows your claims adjuster that you had the power to prevent roof damage but didn’t do so. Proper maintenance includes various tasks. First, keep your roof free of leaves and debris. Second, trim tree branches that hang over the roof. Third, get a professional inspection biannually. It also requires scheduling professional preventive maintenance.
If your roof is newer, it may still be under warranty and your insurance company will deny coverage. Taking advantage of an existing warranty is better than filing a claim. This way you won’t have to pay the insurance deductible.
Your insurance policy may not cover some events that damage a roof. Some insurance companies exclude damage caused by extreme weather events such as earthquakes, hailstorms, and volcanoes. Other conditions include water damage and mold. Read your policy in full to know what it covers before filing a claim.
Often, the age of your roof is a factor when determining whether you have coverage. Some insurance company policies state a roof that is older than a specified number of years is not covered.
Poor workmanship when installing a roof originally can be a reason for denying an insurance claim. Always pre-screen your roofing contractor to make sure the company and its workers are qualified to install your roof.
When hailstones damage asphalt shingles, it displaces the granule surfacing and the asphalt. This may cause the reinforcing mat to become exposed to the elements. This affects the roof system’s service life. But this is not the case with metal roofs. Dents in a metal shingle or panel will not affect service life and, therefore, are considered aesthetic issues. Most insurance policies do not cover aesthetic issues.
Before filing an insurance claim for roof damage, make sure it’s a covered expense reflected in your insurance policy. Then, consider whether filing a claim is worth it. For example, if your deductible is $2,000 and your roof repair is going to cost $1,600, your claim isn’t worth it. The claim may stay on your insurance record for three years. Even if the repair is $2,500, it may not be worth it. The more insurance claims you have on your record, the more insurance companies consider you a risk.
In addition, to support your insurance claim, be sure you have documentation to show:
When you’re ready to file a claim, follow these three steps:
If extreme weather or another significant event have damaged your roof, document the damage as soon as possible. This is a most important step in how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement. Take detailed photos and videos of your roof’s condition at multiple angles and include time and date stamps. It is good practice to document your roof before damage occurs to your roof. The more documentation you can obtain, the more evidence you will have to support your claim. And the faster insurance companies will process your claim. Some instances to take photos of your roof include:
Working with an established, reputable roofing contractor is an essential component of the insurance claim process. Watch out for storm chasers who go door-to-door in the aftermath of storms. They usually tell building owners they have roof damage. Then they offer too-low prices and are notorious for not completing jobs, leaving you with an exposed roof vulnerable to more storm damage. Low prices are nice, but something that sounds too good to be true should raise a red flag.
Working with an experienced commercial roofing company is especially valuable because they will know where to look for potential damage. A professional roofing company will be aware of any weak spots in your roof, in addition to helping you thoroughly document your roof damage. They will also assist you with determining the potential cost of repairs or replacement. Your roofing contractor also should document the undamaged part of your roof. This will show the roof system was correctly installed and is not defective.
However, keep in mind that in almost every state it is illegal for your roofing contractor to negotiate or handle your insurance claim. Most states only allow state-licensed public adjusters or attorneys to adjust claims.
Check with your state’s consumer protection agency (www.usa.gov/state-consumer) to make sure the company you work with is licensed and insured. Also, check to see whether the contractor is a member of any local, state, regional or national roofing associations. The most renown one is the National Roofing Contractors Association (www.nrca.net). Ask about worker credentials and whether your roofing contractor is ProCertified® to install the roof system you want. For more tips on finding a professional roofing contractor, visit everybodyneedsaroof.com
Also, if you’ve experienced extensive damage to your property’s roof system, consider contacting a public adjuster before contacting your insurance company. A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional who will help you settle the value of your claim. When you submit your insurance claim, your insurance company will send out its own adjuster. This person will inspect the damage and decide the amount the insurance company will provide for roof repairs. This is why it’s good to contact a public adjuster first. You will be prepared for the insurance adjuster’s inspection based on the public adjuster’s inspection. It's also a good precursor to how to get a new roof from insurance.
Most states require you to submit your claim within 30 to 60 days of the event that caused the roof damage. Failure to make a timely claim is a reason for a claim denial. When there is a high volume of claims, insurance companies will process your claim sooner, the earlier you file the paperwork. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to your property. This person will inspect the roof, assess the damage and determine what is and is not covered.
If your roofing contractor provided an estimate that is significantly greater than your potential insurance payout, the insurance adjuster likely missed something in the scope of work. You’ll need to work with your public adjuster to have the insurance estimate revised. What if your insurance company denies your claim altogether? You can appeal with the help of a public adjuster who will advocate on your behalf.
Roof managers need to know that roofing insurance is one of the most expensive claims you’ll make on your building. And dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming. However, claiming roof damage on insurance doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Simply follow these steps: a) conduct routine roof maintenance, b) document the condition of your roof early and often, and c) find a professional roofing contractor to partner with. When you find a roofing professional you can trust, the roofing insurance claim process goes smoothly.
For filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage before an unforeseen event occurs, feel free to contact Roofing Solutions.
Too often, the process of filing a roof insurance claim is a “wake-up call” for many property owners and a lesson learned too late. To prepare for a future roof insurance claim, we suggest the following:
Maintain it and make repairs regularly. Ask your roof inspector to document the condition of your roof with photos. Ask him also to include a written evaluation of your roof’s condition. If you can show your roof was in great condition before a storm, you have a strong case for a claim.
When forecasting a significant weather event ask your roofing contractor to inspect and document your roof’s condition. If there isn’t time to have a roofing contractor do an inspection, take pictures yourself, if possible. The best evidence for roof insurance claims is before and after photos.
Following these tips on how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement will help you obtain a fair roofing claim process in the future — and a much better outcome.
