Homeowners insurance is something that most people have these days as a safety net for things such as roof damage. Roofing can be a slippery slope sometimes when it comes to insurance because it’s not always protected. Homeowners’ insurance typically covers damage to a roof when certain things occur and all the right boxes need to be checked for insurance to cover a full roof replacement. In other words, if you are in need of a roof replacement due to old age and natural causes, you’re pretty much on your own.
Insurance can be confusing and most homeowners don’t know if their roof replacement is eligible to be covered by their insurance. As a homeowner, it is important to know when you are covered and what you need to do in order to get an insurance claim approved. We wanted to write about this topic to help better inform our customers on how insurance typically works, and when your homeowner’s insurance will cover a roof replacement.
When will insurance cover my roof replacement?
As mentioned before, homeowners insurance will not pay for a roof replacement for reasons such as old age and deterioration. Homeowners insurance typically only covers roof replacements when there is severe weather-related damage to your current roof.
Most roof-related damage comes from weather such as high winds, ice, heavy rainfall, and even tornados or hurricanes depending on where your house is located.
Common types of storm-related roof damage include missing shingles and newly developed leaks. Debris is also an issue and can cause holes to form in your roof or additional types of damage. Homeowners’ insurance will also cover fallen trees or heavy debris that impact your roof due to weather. Not all insurance is the same so it never hurts to reach out to your provider and see if your damage would be covered.
Weather impacted my roof negatively, now what?
While roofs are an important part of a home, we regret to inform you that the process of getting your insurance to actually pay for your roof replacement is a long and tedious one. If your roof recently took on significant storm-related damage and you believe you qualify for a fully covered roof replacement, you must reach out to your insurance company. Typically these companies will then send out one of their adjusters to perform an inspection of the damaged roof. This inspection will be what decides if you are approved or not for a claim.
Once approved, the same adjuster that inspected your roof will draft up an insurance claim for you to have. The next step falls onto you. Once you have a copy of the claim, you get to choose which roofing company you would like to service your home. It is important to do your research prior to selecting a company. We suggest looking for a company with good reviews and licensed and experienced contractors. It also never hurts to go with a contractor who either has experience with or specializes in roof insurance claims. The more experience a roofer has in the realm, the easier the whole process is.
Once you have decided which roofing contractor you would like to work with, they will look over the claim provided and make any changes needed. Once your insurance company approves the changes you are set to have your new roof installed. Each situation is different and the process of getting a claim and having it approved can vary based on insurance companies and how urgent the need is. Everyone’s situation is a bit unique in its own way. It is important to note that the insurance adjuster is the only person who can approve an insurance claim which is why it is important to get in contact with one right away.
During the process of filing an insurance claim, it is important to document as much as you can. This means that as soon you are aware of roofing damage you take photos and keep them as documentation should any issues occur along the way. Documentation can help with an insurance claim and works in your favor.
Be aware of scams
A Lot of the time if you are faced with storm-related roof damage, others can tell. Visible damage can make you a target for scams and it is important to know what to avoid. There are roofing companies that travel from storm site to storm site across the country in search of work. These companies typically only care about money and will ignore any codes or safety measures. These companies often do bad jobs and fail to accurately install a new roof. Sadly, most people fall for these scams because the quote they provide is too good to pass up. We’ve said it before, as a rule of thumb if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is. This is another reason why it is so important to take the time to research any company before deciding to work with them, and never sign any type of paperwork until you have an approved insurance claim.
We are here to help
We know that storm damage never comes at a convenient time, and the whole world of insurance claims can be stressful and confusing. We hope that this article helped you better understand the process of getting an insurance claim approved as well as when your roof is eligible for a covered replacement. We also have additional articles about the world of residential roofing and insurance claims over on our Learning Hub.
At Liberty Roofworks we have almost two decades of experience under our belts in residential roofing. We are no strangers to insurance claims and we do our best to walk our clients through the process as well as advocate for them along the way. Whether you experienced storm damage and need assistance filing a claim or just need an annual inspection done, we do it all. Our licensed and experienced contractors work individually with each of our clients to ensure their questions are answered and their roof is what they desire.
If you or someone you know is in need of roofing services contact us today! We would be happy to send out one of our contractors to perform an inspection and help guide you through the next steps. Roof-related inquiries don’t have to be a stressful thing!
Frequently asked questions
We just gave you a lot of information about roof insurance claims and we are sure you have some questions. Here are some frequently asked questions we receive surrounding homeowners insurance and roof damage. Is your question still not answered? Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer it for you directly.
How much does a new roof cost without insurance?
A new roof can cost anywhere from $5,000 all the way up to $30,000 without insurance. That is why it’s important to contact your insurance company should you acquire any type of storm damage. These prices vary based on what materials are used, how big the roof is, as well as individual roofing company fees.
Should I make an insurance claim on my current roof?
If your roof experienced damage, yes. It is important to not abuse the number of claims you submit because it can increase the cost of your premiums. As long as you are not abusing the system, you should always contact your insurance when your roof experiences extensive damage.
Will my insurance cover roof leaks?
Yes! Most homeowners insurance policies will cover any water damage as long as it is accidental or out of your control. The only time water damage will not be covered is when it is due to negligence by the homeowner. In that case, the repair costs fall on you.
How do I find out if my roof was damaged from a storm?
Roof damage by storms is not always visible, but that doesn’t mean it is not there. You have two routes to take here. You can either go up on your roof and take a look at it yourself, even though we do not recommend this as it can be dangerous and easy to miss damage. The other option and the one we recommend is calling a reputable roofing company to come out and perform an inspection. Licensed contractors are trained to spot damage and can find damage that most homeowners might accidentally overlook.
Should I file an insurance claim due to hail damage?
Yes, you should. Most people often overlook hail damage as it can appear to only be cosmetic. The truth is, untreated hail damage can lead to more damage down the road which can result in more money spent on repairs. Hail impacts the strength of your shingles and can expose your roof to dangerous weather. Regardless of the damage type, damage is damage and it should always be addressed right away before it becomes an even bigger issue.