Getting a new roof can be stressful, but getting your claim fulfilled doesn’t have to be.
Each year, severe weather, natural disasters, and hailstorms cost insurance companies millions of dollars in roof repairs and replacements. If your home was affected by inclement weather, you’re probably champing at the bit to get your claim processed. Unfortunately, navigating the insurance roof replacement process can be tricky. But with the right strategies and a few tips, you can speed up your claim and get your roof fixed faster.
What Roof Insurance Typically Covers
Whether from fire or a storm, it can be extremely stressful if your roof is damaged. Review your insurance policy to learn what is normally covered to see if you have a potential claim.
Roof damage covered under homeowners insurance policies usually includes:
- Recent or immediate damage caused by storms
- Natural disasters (tornados, hurricanes, etc.)
- Leaks
- Fire damage
- Hail damage
Review Your Personal Homeowners Policy for Roof Coverage
There are subsets of homeowners insurance policies. For example, the part of your policy that covers property damage typically handles the costs of accidents and natural disasters.
If built into your policy, personal belonging coverage and replacement costs should cover the expenses incurred if your possessions get destroyed due to the roof damage.
However, most homeowner insurance policies come with a deductible— $1,000 is typical. You’ll need to meet this before insurance will pay for other repairs.
Certain policies require timely reporting. If you report roof damage outside of a designated time frame, you can no longer claim it. Other policies have a 10-year mark or depreciated value clause, meaning a roof that’s more than 10 years old or one that’s depreciated in value is no longer worth the full price you paid for it. This could significantly lower the amount insurance is willing to pay.
What Roof Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Keep in mind that not all roof damage will be covered by homeowners insurance. From repairs to replacement, there are instances when roof coverage won’t be provided.
Insurance roof replacement does not typically cover:
- Regular wear and tear
- Damage or dysfunction due to negligence
- Improper installation by you or an unlicensed contractor
- Sewer backup
- Mold or mildew damage
- Earthquakes and flooding
- Damage caused by animals
In essence, a roof that hasn’t been maintained, standard erosion, extreme weather, and faulty work done by a contractor could leave you liable for the costs of your roof repairs—even if serious damage also occurs due to a storm.
That’s definitely frustrating, but it reinforces why documentation and roof maintenance are so important. Without written proof, your insurance company could try to prove that your negligence is the reason for the damage, leaving you with the expenses.
Getting Insurance to Pay for Roof Replacement
No one exactly jumps at the chance to contact their insurance and work through a claim. Even though the insurance roof replacement process can be difficult and time-consuming, it’s worth going through to get the money you deserve to fix your home.
Get an accurate estimate from one of our roof inspectors here at Horizon Roofing so you get the funds you’re entitled to.
Article from https://www.angi.com/articles/insurance-pay-roof-replacement.htm