Have you noticed damage to your roof? Do you have a roof leak? Your first instinct should be to call a reputable roofing company to do a proper inspection and prepare a claim. Here’s how to file an insurance claim the right way.
Before you contact your insurance company or schedule roof repairs or a replacement, there are steps you need to take to ensure you get the most out of your insurance claim quickly. We’ve outlined the steps you need to take from start to finish.
First, do you have a valid roof insurance claim?
If your roof or home is currently covered by an existing policy, then you need to understand how much protection it gives you. In other words, you need to know what your insurance covers and what it does not.
What’s covered by your insurance?
If you are a homeowner, there are many insurance policies for you to choose from. Most insurance providers will cover the cost of roof repairs or replacement as long as the damage was caused by an event out of your control.
Below is a list of what most insurers will cover:
- Fire
- Hail
- Wind
- Vandalism
- Lightning strikes
- Falling objects
- “Acts of God”
Remember, your roof insurance may require a deductible before it will help pay for roof repairs or roof replacement. Read your policy to find your deductible and coverage limits. Also, wind and hail damage may be excluded from some homeowners insurance policies, so double-check that as well.
If you’re unsure about your coverage, but you know you have a roof problem, you can schedule a free inspection and we’ll help you determine your coverage once we understand the extent of the damage.
What’s not covered?
While most home insurance policies will cover the repair or replacement of roofs damaged by nature, there are a few cases where you will have to pay out of your own pocket. Depending on the policy or provider that you got, your roof may not be covered under the following circumstances:
- Your roof is too old
- The damage to the roof was caused by poor maintenance
- The damage was intentional or accidental but caused by the homeowner
Homeowners in areas where there is more risk for severe weather events often have to pay for higher deductibles before the policy kicks in. In some cases, they have to buy a separate policy, such as a windstorm or hurricane insurance.
Before you file a roof insurance claim
Let’s say you’re concerned your roof might be damaged. Here are some things you should be aware of before you think about filing a roof insurance claim for the damage to your property.
Choose a trusted roofing contractor to do an inspection
It’s beneficial to have a roofing contractor do a professional inspection on your roof prior to contacting your insurance company.
Legion Roofing and Construction is a certified roofing contractor in all of the state of Florida, therefore, we’re able to document the extent of the damage and make sure all bases are covered prior to a claim being filed. This gives you the best possible chance of your claim being accepted and paid out.
Additionally, when you hire a roofing company who are committed to consumer advocacy, like Legion Roofing, you’ll have an expert consultant on your side throughout the claims process.
Homeowners tend to have much better success with their claims when they have an expert on their side.
Find out your deductible
Deductibles are the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket for repairs before your insurance company covers the rest of the cost. In some states, insurers can charge a higher deductible for hurricane-related wind and hail damage than they would otherwise.
Get a copy of your policy and scan through it until you locate the section about deductibles. Or, if you have an insurance agent, you can contact them. You can also contact the customer service line for your insurance company and give them your details so they can access your policy.
Just make sure you don’t file a claim until you’ve consulted with your roofing contractor.
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