Chances are, you don’t go to sleep each night thinking about replacing or repairing the roof on your home. Your roof shields your most precious assets and keeps your family safe and protected from the outside elements. But, when natural weather or an emergency disaster strikes and damages your roof; you immediately lose sleep and wonder if your roof is covered by insurance and how the insurance claims process works.
Navigating the roofing insurance claims process can be challenging and requires coordination with both your insurance company and claims adjuster, and also a professional roofing company. Understanding what typically does and does not qualify for a roof insurance claim, the steps to filing the claim, and what to expect from the entire process will help you avoid losing sleep over your roof replacement project.
What Does and Does Not Qualify for Roof Insurance Claims
Roof replacements and repairs are typically included in standard homeowners insurance policies. However, there are types of damages that are generally covered and some that are not covered. In general, the following types of roof damages are covered by homeowners insurance:
- Wind
- Hail
- Fire
- Lightening
- Smoke
- Heavy Snow or Ice
- Falling Objects (ex. trees)
- Vandalism
However, some types of damage are generally excluded from standard homeowners insurance coverage. Those include:
- Age-Related Damage
- General Wear and Tear
- Lack of Maintenance
Having a basic understanding of the coverage provided by your homeowner’s insurance policy that applies to roof repair and replacement is the best place to begin. It is also recommended to work with both your insurance agent as well as a licensed roofing replacement company throughout the process. This will ensure both your claim and roof replacement and repair processes go smoothly.
Steps for Roofing Insurance Claim and Replacement Process
The steps in the roofing insurance claim and replacement process involve coordination with both your insurance company and a professional roofing company. If the roof replacement falls under your homeowner’s insurance policy, you will work directly with your agent to begin the process. Here’s how the process generally works if your roof replacement is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy:
Assessment of Damage – When disaster strikes, you should first document the damage to your roof by taking photographs or videos. This will help support your insurance claim as well as provide real-time visuals for both your insurance company and future contractors to refer to during the claim process.
Contact Your Insurance Company – As soon as you have assessed and documented the damage, notify your insurance company about the roof damage. You’ll need to provide details about the damage and any documentation you have to begin the claims process.
Claims Adjuster Inspection – Once your insurance company has reviewed the documentation of the assessed damage, they will likely send a claims adjuster to inspect the damage. The adjuster’s job is to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether it’s covered or not covered by your policy.
Review Your Policy- If you haven’t already done so, it is a good idea to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand your coverage limits, deductibles, and any exclusions related to roof damage. Not all types of roof damage may be covered and your specific policy may have some exclusions, so it is essential to know what your policy includes.
Approval and Estimate- If your claim is approved, your insurance company will provide an estimate for the cost of the roof replacement or repair. This estimate may be based on the adjuster’s assessment or from a professional contractor’s estimate. In the event that the estimate is from an insurance adjuster and is not sufficient to cover the total cost of the repair per a contractor’s estimate; it may be necessary to work with your insurance agent to renegotiate the amount needed to complete the repair. If at any time you are unsure of the estimate process, our professional roofing experts at One Way Exteriors, a Ludington roofing replacement company, are happy to help you navigate and answer any questions about the complex insurance estimate process. Once the claim approval and estimate is complete, it is time to choose a contractor.
Choose a Contractor– As the homeowner, your insurance company allows you to choose a roofing contractor to perform the replacement or repair work. Keep in mind that it is essential to hire a reputable and licensed contractor who can provide quality workmanship. We have recently created a blog that walks you through how to choose a reputable roofing company, you can click here to read that article.
Work Commences – Once you’ve chosen and scheduled a licensed contractor, the roof replacement process begins. Depending on the scope of the project and your city or county building regulations. Your contractor may need to obtain the necessary permits before starting the work.
Completion and Inspection– After the roof replacement or repair is complete, it’s crucial to inspect the work to ensure it meets your satisfaction. You may also request a final inspection from your insurance company.
Payment- Depending on your insurance policy, you may receive payment directly from your insurance company to cover the cost of the roof replacement or repair, or your insurance company may require payment to be remitted directly to your contractor. It is recommended to talk with your agent and understand how the payment process will work. Also, remember that you may need to pay your deductible before receiving any of the insurance payout.
Follow-Up – It is always a good practice to keep records of all communications, receipts, and paperwork related to the roof replacement process. If you encounter any issues with the work or need further assistance, follow up with your insurance company and contractor as needed.
Understanding what is and isn’t covered, the steps involved in a roofing insurance claim, and the repair process will ease the stress you may feel when your roof is damaged and is in need of repair or replacement. Knowing what is covered and how to navigate the claims and repair process allows you to be an active part of the project. Most importantly, you become an advocate for protecting one of your most valuable assets in keeping your family safe.