How Your Insurance Can Help Pay for Your New Roof

Many of us tend to take our home’s roofs for granted until something bad happens. May it be an intense storm, fallen tree, or even rodents, all of these can result in roof damage. Not only will this cause problems in your home, but you can face hefty repair fees.

Fortunately, there are situations where your insurance can help pay for your new roof. If you have homeowner’s insurance (and hopefully you do), you can submit an insurance claim to reduce the out-of-pocket costs.

Understandably, you may not know where to start. After all, the pressure is on because if you don’t follow the appropriate steps, you risk being denied your claim! Read on as we share how your insurance can help pay for your new roof.

How Your Insurance Can Help Pay for Your New Roof

To help with your insurance claim, here are the steps to follow:

Be Aware of the Insurance Coverage

If you notice any damage to your roof, check the homeowner’s policy and the roof coverage it has. You may have to conduct a bit of research if you haven’t paid a lot of attention to the insurance policy, but it will all be worth it. The information you get after reviewing your policy will help you figure out what to do next, along with your future financial decisions.

If you don’t have a copy of your insurance coverage, you may request a copy of it from your insurance agent.

Most insurance agencies would offer two kinds of roof insurance: Replacement coverage and repair coverage.

Roof repair coverage would reimburse a homeowner for a certain percentage of costs when repairing a roof. As for replacement coverage, it will provide total roof replacement for one that is beyond repair.

Roof replacement coverage is more expensive and it would be tougher to get an insurance claim accepted. This is why it’s crucial to document the damage and submit your claim as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, not every type of roof damage would be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. The coverage will depend on your location, specific policy taken, and the cause of roof damage.

For instance, a hail storm damaging your roof can qualify for coverage as this is an unusual and unpreventable event. But if it were a hurricane causing roof damage in Florida, there’s a chance it won’t be covered due to the frequency of such events, the lack of hurricane-related coverage or the owner didn’t take the proper precautions.

Moreover, if the roof damage was caused by you or unexperienced, unlicensed roofing “contractors,” then the replacement won’t be covered. If you have further questions about your roof coverage, it’s best to contact your insurance agent for further details.

Document the Damage and Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you know your roof damage is covered by your homeowner’s insurance, or at least believe it should be, then the next thing to do is to document the damage. Take a lot of photos of the roof and the damage around it. Don’t just document the outside damage but the interiors of your house.

If you have a ladder and take proper safety precautions, carefully climb up to take photos. Alternatively, you can use a drone with a camera, which is safer. If you’re unable to assess all the roof damage safely, it’s best to schedule an inspection with an experienced roofing company to get all your details straight.

Besides taking photos, note the date of the roof damage. If a storm damaged your roofs, like a hurricane or tornado, look for news articles that match the date of the damaging events. This will help back up your claim.

Afterward, check the insurance company’s website to learn how to submit an insurance claim. Most policies require homeowners to file their claim within a specific timeframe after the event. Be aware of your insurance company’s protocol to prevent being denied due to waiting too long to submit a claim.

Search for Roofing Companies

Once you submit your insurance claim, search for a reputable roofing company with experience in insurance claims. Schedule a roofing inspection with them, as they can search for damage and then compile a report to submit to the insurance company.

If you don’t or cannot hire professionals for the roof inspection, your insurance company can pay someone for the roof inspection. But do note that this third-party inspector will represent the insurance agency, so they might find reasons to deny the claim. That’s why it’s best to take charge and hire a roofing inspector yourself to get the best chance of getting your insurance claim accepted.

Take the Next Steps in the Roof Replacement Claim

Once you have submitted your insurance claim and enlisted the services of a roofing company to provide supporting evidence, it’s time to wait. Your insurance company will have the discretion to make a decision, and it may take about 15 days on average. The insurance agent will notify you whether your claim was approved or denied.

If your claim was denied, you may appeal the decision. Ask your agent about the next steps when appealing your claim.

But if your claim was approved, you can begin working with a reputable roofing contractor to perform your roof replacement.

Side note: Watch out for any insurance scams and storm chasers! After a big storm, scammers can canvas neighborhoods, promising homeowners of a free roof. Beware as they are most likely illegitimate businesses that overpromise.

If you see someone trying to hard-sell you insurance or free roof replacements, always ask for a copy of their liability insurance and appropriate certifications.

Wrapping It Up

Hopefully, this article on how your insurance can help pay for your new roof helped you out. If you’re still searching for a roofing contractor for roof repair and replacement, don’t hesitate to contact us now here at Stradling Roofing.