Unfortunately yet true, having storms in Florida is not a rarity. Hurricane season can be a particularly stressful time for homeowners in the state who may face significant damage to their roofs and costly repairs. Research done by the Insurance Information Institute confirms that hurricanes have caused billions of dollars worth of damage to homes in the state.
Many homeowners feel safe with a comprehensive home insurance policy. However, when the damage occurs, they often run into challenges when attempting to recover their losses. Some homeowners find themselves haggling with their insurance company for weeks and even months only to be offered a mere fraction of their expenses. In some cases, roof damage claims are denied altogether.
Causes of Roof Damage
In Florida, strong storms and hurricanes are the obvious culprits when it comes to roof damage. Excessive winds and driving rain can lead to water intrusion as well as damage to shingles and roofs. However, there can also be other secondary causes of damage from a storm, such as:
Trees
Falling branches or entire trees during a storm can severely damage the roof of a house. Damage from falling trees is not always preventable as even healthy and strong trees can collapse in a violent storm. However, there are some things homeowners can do to reduce the chances of trees damaging roofs such as trimming branches back regularly and removing dead or dying trees altogether.
Lack of Maintenance
Roof damage from lack of maintenance and repair has a habit of showing up during inclement weather such as storms. Roofs need to be maintained on a regular basis. Damaged shingles should be replaced in a timely manner and gutters need regular cleaning. While a maintenance issue may not come to light in fine weather, it can rear its ugly head with vengeance in a storm, when cracked shingles or clogged gutters can cause flooding inside the home and structural damage.
Lightning Damage
Florida is often called the lightning capital of the world. Especially during storms, lightning can cause damage to trees, structures, powerlines, and homes. Lightning can cause damage to your roof as well as your electrical system and electrical appliances, potentially proving extremely costly.
Heat Damage
The heat in Florida can be excessive for months on end. Relentless beating down of the sun can severely shorten the lifespan of all roofing materials. Constant UV, sunlight, and heat can cause cracking and distortion. When a storm comes along, there’s a high chance an already weakened and damaged roof may simply not be able to withstand the high winds, leading to water entering the property. Homeowners should check their roofs every so often and arrange for repairs when they notice any cracking, warping, or other damage.
If you have an insurance policy that covers any roof damage from storms in Florida you could be in for surprise when your claim is denied. In order to avoid this, you should contact a certified roofing contractor to conduct an inspection of your roof, assess all of the damages, and assist you with the claim process.
Reasons Why Your Insurance Company Might Deny a Claim
Property damage claims seem reasonably straightforward. In theory, homeowners purchase a policy, then file a claim when their roof is damaged, and subsequently get paid. Unfortunately, it rarely works this way. In many cases, homeowners can struggle, sometimes for years, with recovering their due. An insurance company can deny a claim for a number of reasons and then the homeowner is left to fight for their settlement. Reasons, why an insurer might deny a claim for roof damage from a storm in Florida, can include:
- Improper maintenance
- The roof is too old
- Wear and tear
- Pre-existing roof damage
Call Legion Roofing and Construction
The sooner you start the process of recovering the insurance settlement you deserve, the sooner you could repair your property adequately.
Fighting the insurance company on your own can be a frustrating and lengthy battle. However, it does not have to be this way. At Legion Roofing and Construction, we are experienced in handling Florida’s largest insurance companies and have helped countless clients with their insurance claims after suffering roof damage from storms in Florida.
Call Legion Roofing and Construction today to schedule a FREE Inspection.