The Type Of Roof Replacement Coverage In Your Policy
In some cases, your roof will qualify for actual cash value coverage . This is because the age or condition of your roof is such that its too compromised or the roofing material rules out other coverages.
If your roof is eligible based on its age and type , you may qualify for roof replacement cost coverage . Its optional coverage that can be added to your policy.
With RCV coverage, well reimburse you for the full amount that it would cost to repair or replace your roof in the event of a covered loss. Depending on the damage, you may choose not to repair or replace your roof, and in that case, well only pay you the actual cash value of the damage.
Inspection And Immediate Reporting
Regardless of the situation with a damaged roof and the circumstances surrounding it, most insurance companies dispatch an inspector to examine and confirm a claim. If the inspector determines that the damage has occurred because of normal aging, deteriorating conditions, or everyday wear and tear, such findings are usually interpreted as normal maintenance and are not covered under a home policy.
If a roofing claim is determined to be legitimate and an inspection evaluation will likely prove it so, it is imperative to arrange an inspection as soon as the damage has been documented. Payment can be accelerated and payment issued when a claim is promptly reported.
Three: Check Your Roof’s Age
Image source: Professional Building Services
Knowing the age of your roof is of vital importance during the claims process. Your roofs age will impact the amount of any checks you receive from your insurer. Roofs less than ten years old are usually fully covered under warranty, while roofs a decade old or more, homeowners will receive reimbursement or the depreciated value of the roof. Unfortunately, the amount your insurance company is willing to pay for roof repair or replacement will reflect that depreciation.
Even if depreciation threatens your roof insurance claim, its important to follow through. Any money you can put into a new roof is better than no money at all!
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Concrete Tile: 50 Years
Concrete tiles are very similar to clay tiles but also have the added advantage of being fireproof. In addition, theyre incredibly durable and can last for around 50 years on average. While they cost a little more than other roofing materials upfront, you wont need to replace them as often, and they will even out over time.
How To Find A Roof Leak
Spotting a roof leak as early as possible is critical for minimizing damage to your home and belongings. Unfortunately, it’s not always a straightforward process. Since roofs are typically sloped, it’s common for water to enter your home at one part of your roof, only to trickle down to another area where the leak becomes apparent.
The first and sometimes most difficult step you should take is to find the source of the leak. Check your roof for any probable points of entry, such as a misaligned shingle, a raised nail, cracks near vent pipes, a misplaced gutter or a crack in the base of your chimney.
If you can’t identify the point of entry by looking at your roof, try checking your attic. Search the interior for mold or moisture, or look for wet wood on a rainy day. Alternatively, you can spray your roof with a garden hose to locate the leak.
While this may seem counterintuitive, doing this on a dry day will allow you to fix the leak at a time when you control the amount of water that can enter your home. If you still can’t find any crack or puncture, it may be possible that the source is a plumbing leak.
If you identify a roof leak early, it usually does not require much effort to fix. Often, a replaced shingle or rubber sealant will solve the problem. However, if you’re uncomfortable doing maintenance on your roof, you should ask a professional to take care of it.
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Governor Ron Desantis Announces Support For Ian
On October 22, 2022, in News Releases, by Staff
Funding will Close the Financial Gap to Recovery for Families, Seniors
FORT MYERS, Fla. Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida Housing Finance Corporation is awarding $5 million to local housing partners to help Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian pay their home insurance deductibles in the six hardest hit counties. Funding assistance is available to individuals, families, and seniors living in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties who apply and qualify through Florida Housings local housing partners. Homeowners are encouraged to contact their local SHIP office directly for more information: Local Government Information .
As the states housing finance agency, Florida Housing annually receives funding from the Legislature for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, of which $5 million is set aside to be used in the event of a natural disaster. This year, the disaster funds have been allocated to assist Floridians who are low to moderate income, live in one of the six counties hardest hit by Hurricane Ian and cannot afford to pay their insurance deductibles.
Florida Housing is also working to compile information on disaster relief resources. The following are possible resources for families affected by Hurricane Ian:
For more information about Florida Housing Finance Corporation and disaster relief resources, please visit Disaster Relief Resources and Information .
Call An Experienced Maryland Roofing Contractor
The next step is contacting a Bowie roofing contractor with expertise in insurance claims and policies. Like the insurance companys own claims adjuster, a private contractor will come to your home to examine the damage and determine the cost of the roof replacement.
Another reason to call a contractor you trust if youve experienced roof damage is to make repairs. If the roof damage is causing damage elsewhere in the home or building, the contractor can make a temporary repair. This will help reduce damage while you wait for your insurance company to approve the claim.
Working with a locally-known and well-certified residential or commercial roofing contractor when it comes time to have the roof replaced will also increase your chances of getting the cost of a roof replacement covered.
At Capitol Improvements, were experts in assessing roof damage and helping you file your claim, as well as in replacing your roof in a timely manner. If youre ready to begin the estimation process and you live in the D.C. area, call us at or email us.
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It Depends On What Caused Your Roof Problems
A typical all-perils homeowners insurance policy does cover your roof and the cost of replacing it if it gets damaged. That’s the good news. But usually, you’re covered only if the damage or destruction results from a sudden accident or act of nature. Problems that ensue from general wear and tear or from a roof that has exceeded its intended life span are not eligible for reimbursement because they fall under the general maintenance responsibility of the homeowner.
Find A Reputable Roofing Contractor
If you didnt do this as part of the step above, now is the time.
Your best ally in a fight over roof repair will be a licensed roofing contractor, not an attorney. Make sure they have:
- A stellar reputation
- Experience dealing with insurance claims
A good roofer will help with the next few steps before repairing the roof.
Prevent Further Damage!
Most homeowners policies require you to cover the damaged roof immediately.
Did you know?Claims for secondary damage are usually denied when the necessary steps have not been taken to protect the roof.
Heres a common and unfortunate scenario:
Storm 1 blows a bunch of shingles off a roof.
Storm 2, a week later, brings wind-driven rain that gets into the unprotected home and destroys everything it touches ceilings, walls, flooring, electronics and more. This is why many homes must be gutted or demolished after hurricanes.
Bad storms damage hundreds or thousands of homes in their path. This makes it impossible for roofers to make quick repairs.
Instead, your roofing company will get the damaged areas tarped and secured to protect your home and your wallet. Once this is done, the roof should be OK until repairs can be made.
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Document The Damage And Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you determine that your roofs damage is covered under your homeowners insurance , the next step is to document the damage. Take plenty of photosnot only of the outside damage, but also of the interior of your home. If you have a tall enough ladder, and feel safe doing so, carefully climb it to take photos, or you can use a drone with a camera, which would be an even safer method. However, if you cant assess all the damage safely, call an experienced roofing company for an inspectionyoure better off safe than sorry.
Note the date of the damage, as well. If your roof was damaged by a storm, such as a tornado or hurricane, find articles online matching the date of these damaging events to back up your claim.
After that, check your insurance companys website for information about how to submit a claim. Many policies require the homeowner to file their claim within a certain time frame after the event. Youll want to know the protocol for your insurance company, as your claim may be denied if you wait too long.
What Should I Do If My Insurer Denies My Roof Damage Claim
Insurance companies will sometimes deny roof damage claims if they suspect the source of the damage was normal wear and tear or any other home insurance policy exclusion. If you believe your claim was wrongfully denied, consider the following:
File a claim dispute with your insurer. The first thing youll want to do is reach out to your insurance company and file an appeal. At that point, you can schedule a follow-up inspection with an insurance adjuster, who may be accompanied by a roof contractor or someone more specialized in roof estimates to help assess the damage.
Hire your own public adjuster. As previously mentioned, a public adjuster acts as a third-party and will provide an unbiased assessment and estimate of the damage. For example, if your insurance company claims your roof wasnt damaged by the storm event cited in your claim, and the public adjuster assures them that it was, then you may have a winning case during the appeals process.
File a complaint with your states insurance department. Insurance companies are required by law to provide policyholders with a process for disputing the outcome of a claim. But some insurers have a tendency to drag their feet during the appeals process. If you filed an appeal and you never received your follow-up inspection or the appeal was simply denied, consider hiring a property insurance lawyer or filing a formal complaint with your states department of insurance.
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Will My Premiums Increase
One of the most common insurance roof replacement questions is, Will my premiums increase? The short answer is that your home insurance rate will probably not increase as long as you were not found negligent.
Since damage caused by storms or natural disasters was not caused by your neglect, then your insurance company is unlikely to raise your premium after you file a roof claim. If the damage to your roof is determined to be a result of your own negligence, such as a lack of regular maintenance, then your premium may go up after you file a roof claim.
Check For Damage Immediately
After a natural disaster, roof damage can occur. Your first step should be to assess your roofs condition as soon as possible. You may notice issues like leaks, damage to your shingles or even hail damage to the roof. Speak with your insurance adjuster or review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the requirements for how long you need to wait after a natural disaster or severe storm to have your roof repaired or restored under your homeowners insurance roofing policy.
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Choose A Roofer That Has Experience In Insurance Roof Repair
Once you have received the final word from your insurance company and a green light for a roof replacement, you will be given money for the damage. The next step is finding a reputable roofing contractor to complete the roofing repair or replacement. So, where do you even begin selecting someone to complete the work? In a sea of roof repair contractors, how do you find one that you can trust and does high-quality work?
Find a roofing company you trust by doing some preliminary research, ask around, look on the internet, and read reviews that previous customers have left. It is always okay to shop around and explore all your options, after all, most roofers will have different prices and certifications. One thing to always look for is a roofer who is licensed and insured. You can also discuss the cost and get multiple estimates, this way you know up front if your insurance money will cover their work.
Another thing to consider is that not all roofing contractors will provide you with guidance when it comes to dealing with your insurance, but there are some who will help throughout the entire process and may even have insurance adjusters on staff to help streamline the process.
The Process To Get Insurance To Pay For Your Roof Can Be Long
Some homeowners have the misconception their roof will be replaced quickly after filing a claim. Unfortunately, this isnt the case.
The truth is, getting insurance to replace your storm-damaged roof is a long process. Below is a list of some of the steps leading up to an insurance roof replacement:
- Youll call your insurance company
- They send out an adjuster for an inspection
- If approved by the adjuster, theyll write up a claim
- Youll find a reputable roof contractor
- Theyll go over the claim and supplement anything missing if needed
- The supplemented claim will be sent back to the insurance company for approval
- If approved, your roof replacement is ready to be scheduled
The steps above arent the exact process and vary based on your insurance company, policy, and even your roofing contractor. This list just demonstrates how much goes on behind the scenes once you file an insurance claim and that each phase of the process takes time.
Knowing this from the beginning helps you understand why its taking so long to get your roof replaced through your insurance company.
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Get A Roof Inspection
Before your insurance company approves your claim, they will want to see an inspection report and an estimate for the repair or replacement. A professional roofing company can inspect the roof and provide details for the insurance company.
Your homeowners insurance company might not pay for your roof insurance claim without an inspection from a roofing contractor. So, the out-of-pocket expense for the inspection might actually save money in the long run.
Hire An Experienced Roof Replacement Contractor
Scammers sometimes target homeowners whose roof was damaged by bad weather, making them promises of a free roof and other promises that they cannot deliver upon. It is important to avoid these scams and only work with a roofing company that has experience with insurance claims. This helps ensure you do not have work done on your roof that is not covered by your insurance provider. Additionally, it is important to choose a roof replacement company who offers a workmanship warranty.
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How Does Insurance Cover Roof Replacement
What caused the damage will also affect the claims status. Insurers only cover damage listed under covered perils. These are events like storms or fires or even vandalism that cause damage out of your control. But how does insurance cover roof replacement if the damage is your fault or neglect? And how does insurance determine roof replacement? If your roof repair is necessary because you have neglected to maintain your roof, your claim will probably be denied. Policies will vary and it is best to check with the insurer to find out exactly what is covered in your policy. If you ever need roof insurance claims help in Atlanta, GA, Colony Roofers has years of experience dealing with insurance companies and making sure homeowners get the full benefit of their policies. When you need help with any roofing service, give us a call at 365-3138.
Can I Claim A New Roof On My Insurance
Once you have an estimate, you can file a claim with your insurance company. The insurance company will weigh various factors when determining exactly what they will pay out on the claim. In many instances, your roofs age will play a big role in whats paid out. Any roof thats over 10 years old might get less coverage than a new roof, if your roof has not been well maintained. Will insurance cover a 12-year-old roof? Keeping your roof maintained can be a key to good coverage if the time ever comes when you need to file an insurance claim.
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Two: Document The Damage To Your Roof
Image source: Redfin
A picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to documenting the damage to your roof, theres no better way to get your point across to your insurance company than with plenty of visual evidence.
Even if you dont currently have any damage to your roof, its recommended that you have a few before-damage pictures at the ready. These will be invaluable if your roof is ever damaged and will increase your chances of a little extra help from your insurer.
If you dont have any before pictures, dont worry. Pictures of the damage are just as useful during the claims process. Make sure each picture has a timestamp as well. This way, you can correlate the visible damage with an event such as a bad hail storm or the common Florida hurricane, where your shingle roof may suffer some wind damage.
The more evidence and documentation you have, the better.
