How long do I have to file a claim for roof damage?

Sep 10

Every homeowner should have insurance to protect their roof and home from possible damage. You pay your premiums and hope you never need to use your policy.

Sometimes things happen, and your roof may be damaged beyond repair. This can lead to a stressful and confusing process with your insurance company.

This process can be stressful if you have never done it before. Before you contact your insurance company, it is essential to understand what to expect. Residential property insurance claims have been helping homeowners understand the intricacies of filing a claim for roof damage insurance for over 30 years. We want to help you get started.

Look at the four things you should expect when filing an insurance claim regarding roof damage.

The long process of filing an insurance claim

Many homeowners believe their roofs will be fixed or replaced immediately after they file an insurance claim. This is not the case. You should expect the insurance claim process to take a long time and be slow. It all comes down to the various moving parts and the people involved.

Here are some steps you need to take to file an insurance claim.

Your insurance company will call you
An adjuster is sent out to inspect the property.
Once the adjuster approves, they will prepare a claim.
A reputable roofing contractor will be found
If necessary, they will review the claim and add any missing information.
For approval, the insurance company will send the supplemented claim back.
Your roof replacement can be scheduled once your approval has been received.

These steps will vary depending on your insurance company and what your policy says about your roofer. This is a snapshot of what happens when you file an insurance claim. The entire process can take time. This is the first step in understanding why the insurance claim process can be so slow and drawn out.

The insurance company will pay you according to your insurance policy.

Although homeowners insurance should cover your roof, your payout will depend on your policy. It is essential to review your policy immediately if you suspect roof damage to determine what payouts you can expect.

When you file a claim, you will be covered by an Actual Cash Value policy (ACV) or a replacement cost value (RCV) policy. While both policies equal a payout from an insurance company, their value differs.

You'll receive the actual cash value of your roof if you have an Actual Value. This policy ensures that your insurance company pays only your roof's current value. You can get the cost of replacing your entire roof if you have a Replacement Cost Value policy. They don't always give you the entire amount upfront.

Your insurance company will send you a check to determine the cost of your roof. Your insurance company will use the rest to calculate the recoverable deduction. Once the work is complete, you must prove that it was completed following your claim. Then, your insurance company will send another check covering the remainder of the cost.

Don't worry if they don't complete the work. They don't need to send another check for the depreciated portion of the claim. While both policies cover your roof, a Replacement Cost Value policy will ensure that your insurance company covers the entire cost.

Only an insurance adjuster can approve your roof damage claim.

Call your insurance company immediately if you notice roof damage. Depending on your insurance company, they may tell you to call a roofing contractor. You can trust them to inspect your roof if they tell you to. They will inspect the roof for storm damage and report it to you. The roofing contractor can no longer handle the claim. Some homeowners mistakenly believe that storm damage is enough to approve their claim automatically. The insurance adjuster can only approve your claim.

Your roof damage insurance claim could be denied.

It's important to remember that an insurance adjuster can deny your claim for roof damage. You could be denied a claim because your roof was not installed correctly, your attic wasn't adequately ventilated, or you waited too long for your claim to be filed. If they deny your claim, they are not likely to cause panic.

If you are sure that your roof has suffered storm damage, there are many ways to double or triple-check it. Ask your insurance company to send a second adjuster. This is the easiest way to get another opinion.

They will either approve or deny your claim. A structural engineer can be contacted if you want to continue pursuing a claim even after the second adjuster has said no.

They will inspect the roof and prove to the insurance company that it needs to be replaced. If that fails, they'll continue to pursue legal avenues that aren't available to us.

This should not be used as a last resort. It can also lead to expensive legal fees.