Most roof accidents result from inevitable natural causes.
Because of this, homeowners must know how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement issues. Paying for the repairs from the pocket can be costly, and you could be going against your insurance policy, making it void.
Getting a reputable insurance company to pay for roof replacement may seem a lengthy process when you don’t know where to start. If you’re unsure how to get an insurance company to pay for your roof replacement, you’ve come to the right article! This guide explores the procedure.
So, how do you get insurance to pay for your roof replacement?
Start by assessing your roof’s damage. Once you know the damage’s cause and extent, review your insurance policy and call a specialist for a roof inspection. They will write a valid claim, which you submit to the insurance company for compensation.
Reading the insurance policy is vital because it helps you know what your insurance covers. Also, during roof inspection, ensure you contact a professional roof inspector who can help you get compensated. Avoid roofers involved in roof insurance fraud.
Things to Know Before Asking For Roof Compensation
If you took out an insurance policy for your roof and paid the premiums, you likely believe that your insurance company will replace it. However, some homeowners get frustrated because of unrealistic expectations for their insurance company. This is why it’s important for homeowners to be informed.
Some essential things you should know about claiming compensation for your roof are:
1. It Could Take a Long Time for Your Insurance Company to Replace Your Roof
It is ideal to think that you will get a roof replacement a few days after the accident because a roof is an essential part of the house. However, it could take longer than you anticipated for the company to replace the roof.
First, the replacement process is lengthy. You first must inspect the roof to ensure you can send a claim. Filing a claim when your roof has not sustained damage can cause penalties with your insurance, costing you more money.
Once you confirm your eligibility for filing a claim, call the insurance company, which will send an adjuster for inspection. The adjuster confirms the damage and estimates the cost of damage. They then write the claim to the insurance company.
The homeowner then finds a reputable roof contractor who also has to wait for approval of any missing supplements to start working on the roof.
2. An Insurance Adjuster Must Approve Your Roof Replacement Claim
Sending pictures and videos of the damaged roof is good evidence, but an insurance company sends an adjuster to check the damage. If the adjuster finds that your claim is invalid or there are no damages, you won’t get a roof replacement from the insurance company.
3. Avoid Hiring Contractors to Fix Your Roof Before the Insurance Company Inspects the Premises
Living under a damaged roof is scary and dangerous, and homeowners might be tempted to fix the broken and missing shingles before the insurance company comes. However, it is a bad idea because the company must see evidence of the damage.
Also, the contractor you hire to inspect your roof might come with paperwork for you to sign. Ensure you review the papers before signing.
How to Get Insurance to Pay for a Roof Replacement 101
Since you know what to expect before filing your roof replacement claim with an insurance company, follow these steps.
1. Assess the Damaged Roof
Living under a roof with missing shingles can be scary and stressful. Ensure you inspect your roof after a storm. You can use a ladder to check if the shingles are intact. However, you must wear shoes with excellent grip to minimize the risk of falling.
Also, avoid walking on a wet roof because you can easily slip and fall off of the roof. If you cannot see or are unsure of the damages, hire an expert to confirm that your roof is safe. They could also see a reason to claim compensation.
2. Review the Insurance Policy
Some homeowners will hurry to call the insurance company if they confirm missing or broken shingles. First, check the terms in your insurance policy and confirm if the cause of your roof’s damage is covered in your claim. Also, the policy gives a deadline of when to report a claim, after which your roof replacement becomes null.
3. Hire a Roofing Contractor to Assess the Damage
The insurance company will want a professional inspector to check the roof’s damage, so you must hire a reputable roofing company to do the job. You can get one from the internet, ask your friends for referrals or ask your insurance agent to recommend one.
When hiring an inspector, ensure you get one that can efficiently work with the insurance company to ensure you get a new roof. If the contractor finds no damage, don’t file the claim.
- Report to the Insurance
Once the contractor approves that your roof suffered damages, file a claim with the insurance company. The company will send an adjuster for another inspection to approve the damage and write a claim.
If the insurance company agrees on the roof repair and there is a need to supplement anything missing, a supplemented claim must be sent back to the company and wait for the approval. This is a reason roof replacements take long.
Once you know how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement, you should start the process immediately. Although the roof inspections and waiting for approval of the claim will take longer, you will get compensated sooner than if you wait.
Also, before filing a claim, ensure your roof is within the right age limit. Most insurance companies will evaluate the roof depending on its age, and you will get less if your roof is over ten years.
Ensure you follow all the instructions the insurance company gives. For example, some will require the homeowner to use certain shingles, nails, and tiles because they are more robust and more tolerant to the wind.
How to Get Homeowners Insurance to Pay For Roof Replacement Issues — Final Words
Knowing how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement is essential. It helps homeowners save on roof replacement costs and get quality roofs. However, it takes days and weeks to get the new roof. To get insurance to pay for your roof replacement, let a professional roofer assess your roof and guide you through the entire process. Contact Roof Master today for professional roof inspection and repair services.
