How to Decide if You Should File a Roof Replacement Insurance Claim
Water damage is one of the most common types of home insurance claims in the United States.
According to Krapf Legal, roughly 14,000 of these claims are filed every day, and many are caused by extreme weather or blocked gutters.
One of the keys to preventing water damage is by making sure your roof is in good condition.
Too many leaks start in your ceiling space because of some kind of roof damage.
The problem is that repairing or replacing a roof isn’t a cheap process.
Here’s how to decide if it’s time to file a roof replacement insurance claim and get some of that cost covered.
The Roof Insurance Claim Process
Filing a claim is a multi-step process that starts with determining the extent of your roof’s damage and ends with a settlement.
The settlement should at least cover some of your repairs or replacement depending on your specific policy.
Roof Damage Assessment
The first step is to examine your roof for any signs of damage.
Some common signs include cracked or missing shingles, loose granules from asphalt shingles, and stains on your ceilings or walls.
These stains are water damage, likely caused by a leak in your roof.
If you’ve spotted some problem areas, then you’ll want to hire someone to give you a professional assessment.
Review the Insurance Policy and Contact the Company
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand what types of roof damage are covered.
Most of them cover damage from events such as storms but not gradual wear and tear.
The same may apply to damage from branches fallen from a tree that was too close.
Notify your insurance company about the damage.
They will usually help guide you through the claims process.
Make sure to document the damage as thoroughly as possible.
Take detailed photos and make notes of any issues you’ve encountered.
Get Repair Estimates and File a Claim
To figure out the potential cost of repairs, you’ll need to have reputable roofing contractors take a look at your home.
This cost will depend on the extent of the damage, the size of your roof, the team you hire, and the cost of materials.
A repair job will cost much less than a full roof replacement, but it may be in your best interest to get a new one installed.
Submit the required documents detailing the damage and repairs needed to your insurance company.
Adjuster’s Inspection and Settlement
An insurance adjuster will inspect the damage to confirm the extent of the damage and determine how much the company will cover.
Once their report is finalized, the insurance company will offer a settlement to the homeowner.
Do not expect this amount to match your own estimates.
They will often cover less than the total cost of repairs or replacement, depending on your policy’s deductible and coverage limits.
When to File a Roof Claim
There are a few situations when you should file a roof claim rather than pay for repairs yourself.
These include damage due to storms, major leaks, shingle damage, and accidental damage.
Keep in mind that your policy likely won’t cover damages due to neglect.
Severe Storm Damage
Severe storm conditions are some of the most common reasons for roof damage.
They’re also one of the types of damage most homeowner’s insurance will cover.
Significant damage can lead to significant leaks and structural issues.
It’s best to prevent this by filing a claim and getting either repairs or a new roof installed.
Major Leaks
Leaks happen to most buildings if there’s even the slightest problem with the roof.
Major leaks can progress very quickly, and minor repairs may not be enough to deal with them.
File a claim to your insurance company to save yourself money and get a more durable replacement.
Shingle Damage
Shingle damage happens during storms and heavy wind conditions.
If you notice that shingles often go missing, you can save money over time by replacing the roof with something stronger that requires much less maintenance.
Accidental Damage
Check whether or not your policy covers accidental damage.
If someone damages your roof or a fallen object hits it, you could qualify for repairs or a replacement.
Remember that damage caused by the homeowner may not be covered.
It all depends on your policy.
Roof Repair vs Replacement
The biggest decision you’ll have when filing your claim is whether or not you want roof repairs or a complete replacement.
If the extent of the damage is minimal, you could get away with a repair job.
The same goes for newer roofs that were recently installed.
However, extensive damage will warrant a roof replacement.
Not only will you end up paying a similar amount, but you’ll have the option to upgrade your roof to something more durable.
It’s also up to your insurance policy.
Some policies have higher deductibles or limited coverage for replacement.
Insurance Claim Tips
Maximizing your insurance claim is all about documenting everything and getting multiple estimates.
Document your roof’s damage, and track the repairs and any communications with your insurance company.
Maintain records of all correspondence. This includes:
- Emails
- Phone calls
- Printed mail
- Financial transactions
- Reports
Get estimates from several roofing contractors in your area to make sure you understand the costs involved.
You’ll compare these estimates against the insurance adjuster’s estimate.
Understand your policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions.
This will help you know what to send to your insurance company in your claim and what might get a denial.
Make the Most of Your Roof Replacement Insurance
Whether or not you file a roof replacement insurance claim will depend on a variety of factors, including your budget and your home’s needs.
Your policy may not cover as much as you need, so you may need to split the costs.
There’s also the fact that minor repairs don’t warrant an entirely new roof.
AZ Roofing Works provides roof repair and replacement services for homes across the Metro Phoenix area.
We can also help with solar removal and reinstallation for homes with solar.
Contact us today with any questions about our work.
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Contact Us Today or call our office directly at (602) 283-3383 for immediate assistance!
