The roof insurance claim process isn’t an easy step to take for every homeowner. Most homeowners weren’t aware of how important roofs for their houses but every house insurance company does have special attention to your roofs.
Storms, high winds, and hail can damage your roofs. Usually, insurance companies review roofing claims carefully. They anticipate homeowners to offer correct documents and other details to process your roof claim. Therefore, as a homeowner, you should know the process of how to file and claim roofing insurance for yourself.
In this guide, we will explain and support you to understand everything you should know about the roof insurance claim process.
Residential Insurance Policies
Residential insurance policies are categorized into two types of insurance policies. Such as;
- Replacement Cost (RC)
- Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Replacement Cost Policy
Replacement Cost insurance policy will cover the fees to replace policyholder’s roof, minus their deductible. Usually, these policies will pay two installments for a brand new roof.
Actual Cash Value Policy
The actual cash value policy will depreciate in value for your house roof annually for 10 years. Therefore, you will only receive depreciated value for your roof if your roof damaged in between that 10 year period.
Roof Insurance Claim Process Full Guide
The roof insurance claim process can be lengthy and complicated whether it’s a commercial or residential roof insurance claim. But, if you follow the given steps with instruction this process won’t be that difficult for you.
4 Steps for Roof Insurance Claim Process
- Preparation
- Professional Roof Inspection
- Contact Your Insurance & File a Roofing Claim
- Contact a Roofing Contractor
1.Preparation
Inspecting your roofs at least yearly is quite necessary. But, always inspect your roofs after a severe weather condition.
When you inspect your roofs make sure to look for lifted or missing shingles. After that check for any missing granules or cracks in the shingles. You definitely need professional help to inspect your roofs if there are many granules in your gutter. Checking inside and outside of your house for water spots is quite necessary too.
Gather These Information’s before Making a Roof Insurance Claim
First, please make sure to take photos or videos of your roofs when you build them. Then keep update them. Doing this will be very useful for you because then you can prepare if you want to file a roof insurance claim.
Then, when damage occurs you should take photos or videos of the damaged area for proof. Then write explaining of what must be fixed. Remember to include measurements of your roof and estimated cost with all the repairs. Also including the details of what causes the damage, the date and time will be necessary.
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| You can claim from your roof insurance when you see damaged roofs like this |
2. Professional Roof Inspection
After confirming that some damage occurred to your roofs due to a severe weather condition try to contact a roofing contractor immediately. They are the professionals who will inspect your roofs and hand over a complete estimate. There are roofing contractors who will offer free roof inspection and provide an estimate and report of what needs to be done.
However, try to select a roofing contractor who is licensed, qualified, insured, and well experienced. Because, if you don’t have an accurate estimation on your hand, you will be vulnerable through the insurance claim process. Additionally, they will assist and advocate for you for the perfect solution for your current situation.
3. Contact your Insurance & File a Roofing Claim
When you complete the 2nd step 3rd step would be to contact your insurance company and inform them about the roof damage and file a claim. Having information such as your photos or videos for proofs, roofing contractor’s report and estimate will definitely help you make the claim without a problem.
Before you contact your insurer make sure you have the following details with you;
- Homeowners insurance policy & policy number
- Deductible
- How did the damage occurred (Snow, wind, hail)
- Date and time of the incident
- Photos or video proofs with before photos
- Roof measurements
- Roofing contractor’s report and estimate
After the insurance claim request your insurance company will send you an inspector (claims adjuster) to examine your roofs. The claims adjuster looks for prominent hail damages or other roof damages that occurred due to weather. They will look for Darkish spots or bruising on your shingles where granules are lacking and exposing the fiberglass or underlayment.
When they were done inspecting your roof claims adjuster will give you an estimate including all the data of reporting what the insurance company will cover.
After the evaluation (estimate) claims examiner will make a decision on your roof insurance claim after reviewing the report. If they found evidence and according to the severity of the damage they will approve for either roof replacement or a repair.
What Is the Insurance Company Looking For?
However, when you look at hail damages it’s easy to identify whether they are new or old. Old hail damages usually look a little bit duller and new ones will be shiny. Nevertheless, hail damages don’t really have an immediate effect on your roofs but with time they will eventually lead to some issues.
If you are experiencing a significant hail storm, immediately call your insurance company and inform them of the incident. You should remember that when it comes to how long a hail claim is visible, each insurance company has its own statutes of limitations.
4. Contact a Roofing Contractor
You have already contacted the roofing contractor for a professional roofing inspection. But, now whether your insurance company approves your roof insurance claim or not you have to contact them again. Because you need roofing contractors to help to repair the damaged roof or replace them.
If you choose a qualified contractor they will guarantee your funding will be protected. Don’t waste any time. Do these necessary actions mention earlier and repair the damaged roofs or replace them. Otherwise, roofs could be damaged even more.
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