The short answer is, it depends. We’ll explain scenarios where your insurance company might not have your best interest in mind and give you tips on how to increase your chances of getting your homeowners insurance to cover your roof repairs. You’ll walk away knowing how to navigate the roof repair process with confidence.
Insurance may deny your claim altogether or only pay for a small portion of your roof repairs if you have an older roof because they factor in depreciation.
Check your policy to see if you have actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV) coverage. Depending on your coverage type, the amount of money you’ll end up paying out of pocket could easily be a difference of thousands of dollars.
Roofs are excluded from RCV coverage with some insurance plans, so even if you see RCV listed in your coverage, make sure to clarify whether or not it applies to your roof. With RCV coverage, you should only have to pay for your deductible and any upgraded roofing materials you choose.
If possible, be proactive about RCV roof coverage. Get yearly roofing inspections and maintain proper roof maintenance to avoid insurance claim denials due to negligence and pre-existing damage or vulnerabilities. Proper roof maintenance includes making sure there are no hazardous branches hanging over your roof waiting to wreak havoc in the event of a storm.
We know it’s tempting to grab a ladder and salvage your leaking roof after a storm. You might even be thinking about buying replacement shingles or using flex seal or roof cement to DIY a patch job before a roofer can there. We caution against doing any work to your roof yourself. DIY jobs put you in danger and jeopardize your chances of getting your roof repair paid for by insurance.
Insurance will only cover work for roof work done by professionals. If you get up on your roof and start hammering and sealing away, you risk damaging your roof further- a mistake your insurance company won’t cover. You could void the warranties of your roofing materials, create additional costs when roofers need to remove what you’ve added and lose out on a reputable roofer because they don’t want to get up on a roof that’s been subject to unskilled workmanship.
Instead of working on your roof yourself, the most important steps to take after your roof gets damaged are:
Call your insurance company within 72 hours (or less, depending on your policy) to make an initial contact about any roof damage. Some companies give you up to a year to file a claim for roof repair, but it’s best to check your policy to be sure. We recommend talking with your insurance company promptly after you have a licensed, bonded and insured roofer come out to inspect the damage to your roof.
Take photos of your roof damage as best you can from a ladder or the ground (don’t get on your roof), and make sure your roofer takes photos and documents any damage, too.
Typically, getting multiple quotes for work around your home is an excellent practice. In the case of emergency roof repairs, however, getting multiple quotes can work against you if you’re planning to file a claim with insurance.
You have the right to choose the roofer you work with. Depending on your policy, your insurance should ideally pay for everything except your deductible and any upgrades to roofing materials you choose.
If you get multiple quotes, it’s likely your insurance will choose the lowest bid, which could leave you with sub-par roofing materials and poor-quality workmanship. Going with a cheap roofer might sound enticing in the short term, but the choice could reduce your home value, void the warranties of your roofing materials and decrease your chances of getting future insurance claims approved.
Though they may ask, your insurance company can’t make you get multiple quotes for your roof repair. Choose a reputable, local roofing company that has experience working with homeowners insurance companies and emergency roof repairs.
Take the reins and let your insurance company know what roofing company you’ll be working with. Save yourself the hassle of hunting down the lowest price for your insurance company.
Depending on your insurance company and where you live, you may only be eligible for wind, hail, fire or tropical storm coverage as part of a separate, additional policy.
Even if you have coverage for wind, hail, fire, tropical storms or other disasters, insurance won’t cover damages they consider to be cosmetic, like nicks in shingles. Also, not all roofing materials are eligible for coverage, for example, metal may be too expensive and wood may be too expensive or too hazardous.
If your claim was denied and your existing coverage doesn’t extend to wind, hail or severe storms, ask your insurance company how to buy more comprehensive coverage for the future. See if you are eligible for discounts on your premium or future roof repairs if you choose to install impact or wind-resistant roofing materials.
Insurance companies probably won’t tell you how you can save money on special coverage for events like hail and wind, and they might not tell you how you can get better coverage for the future. Be your own best advocate and ask your agent!
When an adjuster comes to inspect your roof, there’s a chance your claim will be denied due to perceived maintenance issues.
Insurance is important to have, but your insurance company won’t be standing at the ready with a handful of cash for you when your roof gets damaged. Your insurance adjuster will be looking for ways to reduce the company’s financial responsibility to cover your roof damage.
Your insurance company will pay for damages covered under your policy, but you are responsible for regular roof inspections and maintenance. Any owner-inflicted damages, or damages the adjuster finds to be due to failure to address pre-existing damage or vulnerabilities, can ruin your chances of getting coverage - even if they’re seemingly minor issues.
You can appeal denied claims, but the process is cumbersome and stressful. Stay ahead of the game by documenting all roof maintenance, roof repairs and annual roof inspections and keep your paperwork organized and easily accessible. Have your documents ready to furnish should your maintenance be questioned or your claim be challenged or denied.
The team at Overhead Solutions is experienced in working with insurance companies to help you navigate the claims process successfully. You can even ask one of us to be there when your insurance adjuster arrives so we can advocate for roof repair coverage. Call or send us a message today!
