Insurance and Roofing: When to Use It and How it Works

Homeowners’ insurance can be tricky to navigate, especially when it comes to roof damage. As a homeowner, it’s important to not only understand how to file an insurance claim but how to get insurance to pay for a roof replacement. 

Florida is known for being especially stringent when it comes to insurance payouts, as homeowners here have to contend with a pretty significant hurricane season as well as other storms. While a full or even partial payout cannot be guaranteed, we’ll walk you through the steps of filing an insurance claim for your roof damage and what you can expect during the process.

Keep reading to learn more!

How to Properly File a Roof Insurance Claim in 3 Steps

If you want to know how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement work, then you’re going to need to know how to properly file a claim for roof damage and which instances are typically covered. 

These are the steps to getting your insurance company to pay for a roof replacement:

1) Find Out Exactly What Your Insurance Covers

Before you do anything, it’s crucial that you find out exactly what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers in terms of roof damage. 

Generally speaking, most policies cover damage from the following:

• Windstorms, including Nor-easters, Santa Ana Winds, and tornadoes
• Hail 
• Fire 
• Lightning
• The weight from ice, sleet, and snow
• Falling objects, such as trees
• Vandalism
• Aircraft damage

If you’re unsure of where to start, you can call your insurance company and speak with an insurance agent about the details of your coverage and up to which amount. 

It should also be noted that your homeowner’s insurance will not cover roof damage that isn’t accident or storm-related. While they cannot deny you coverage just because your roof is older, regular wear and tear or neglect that leads to damage doesn’t count.

2) Document the Damage Thoroughly

After an accident or big storm, the next thing you want to do is assess your roof from the inside out. This means checking for:

• Leaks or fresh water stains
• Damaged shingles
• Missing granules
• Missing shingles
• Holes
• Debris

Take as many clear photos as possible, accompanied by detailed notes for your insurance company. You’ll also want to call your local roofers immediately for an emergency inspection. They’ll make a detailed report that you can use for your claim along with a set of their own photos, and they’ll also provide you with an accurate estimate for the roof replacement. 

It’s a good idea to try and find before photos of your roof from recent times to show that no damage existed before the storm, if possible.

3) File Your Claim Properly

Once you have a trusted roofer assess your roof damage, you’ll want to file an insurance claim right away. Start by making sure you get the proper homeowner’s insurance claims form, which your insurance agent can help you with if you don’t know how to find it. 

The key here is making sure to fill out the form in great detail according to your and your roofer’s documentation of the damage. Include all the necessary photos, the report your roofer provides you with, and the estimate they give you for the replacement. 

What to Expect During the Claims Process

You may expect the insurance claim process to be quick and to the point. Unfortunately, it’s the exact opposite. 

Here’s why:

• It involves multiple parties. The insurance claim process is long because it involves several steps and parties to assess the claim documentation and damage before approval.
• Claim approval is up to the insurance adjuster. Your insurance company will send out an insurance adjuster to assess the damage after you’ve filed your claim. This is the only person who can approve or deny your claim, despite what your roofing contractor says. However, it’s a good idea to have your contractor present when the adjuster comes to ensure no mistakes are made.

Find a Reputable Roofing Company to Help

When you have accidental or storm damage and need to your insurance to pay for a replacement, it’s essential that you get in touch with a roofer you can trust to assess the damage and support you during the claims process. When you’re in need of a reliable and trustworthy roofer, Avenue Roofing is here. While we can’t file your insurance claim for you or guarantee that your insurance company will pay for a full roof replacement, we’ll do everything we can to support you throughout the process. Get in touch with us today for emergency roofing services or for a free inspection.