Many homeowners take their roofs for granted until a storm or a fallen tree makes a mess of the situation. If you notice damage to your roof, you’ll want to know whether your homeowner’s insurance will cover the damage and reduce your out-of-pocket expenditures. However, the process of filing a claim for roof repairs may not be as straightforward for most homeowners. That’s why you need to work with a reliable, local roofer with extensive experience repairing roofs through insurance claims. It could help reduce the chance of a claim denial.
What Damages Homeowner’s Insurance Covers
Your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of roof repair depending on the cause of the damage. For example, a typical homeowner’s insurance may cover the cost of repairs if a tree fell on your roof during a storm or if hailstones damage your roof. However, if the tree was unhealthy or ignored, your insurer may deny such a claim. Other commonly covered perils include wind, fire, and lightning.
It’s important to note: you will need to pay a deductible before your homeowner’s insurance kicks in to pay for repairs to your damaged roof. Additionally, your coverage limit will determine how much you get from your insurance provider. Go through the fine print of your policy to know your deductible and coverage limits. Alternatively -and perhaps easier!- you can talk to your insurance agent for this information.
Some homeowner’s insurance policies may have exclusions for windstorm and hail damage, which means repairs occasioned by such perils are not covered. So, be sure to read through your policy to see if yours has any exclusion.
When Leaks May Not Be Covered by Insurance
If your insurer determines the roof damage was caused due to poor maintenance or low-quality work done by an inexperienced or unlicensed roofer, your claim will most likely be denied. Insurance is meant to pay for repairs occasioned by sudden, accidental damage. So, if your roof is aged or has unresolved maintenance issues, your insurance will likely not pay for the cost of repair. This makes it important to conduct regular roofing inspection and repairs to determine the structural integrity of your roof. If you’re planning to purchase a new home, a roof inspection will help you determine its age and its general condition.
Mold or fungus damage may also be excluded from standard homeowner’s insurance policies. However, it could be covered if it crops up as a result of a covered incident. Typically, if the mold growth and other water damage are as a result of a covered roof leak, your insurer should cover mold remediation, unless you failed to file the claim for your roof leak on time.
Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
Knowing what your homeowner’s insurance covers will guide your financial decisions concerning roof repairs in case of emergencies. The majority of insurers offer reimbursement for a certain percentage of repair costs.
Understand your insurance policy and work with a professional roofing contractor who can keep up with the necessary maintenance schedule so you can avoid claim denial. This can also help your roof last longer.
Always Work with a Reputable Roofer
Before you submit your roof insurance claim, call a reputable roofing contractor to carry out a roofing inspection. They have the expertise to document the damage and compile a comprehensive report for your insurance company.
More often, your insurance company will send over an insurance adjuster to assess the damage and determine the cost of repairs. It’s always advisable to have your roofer on site when the insurance adjuster arrives to ensure both estimates are in tandem. Most insurance companies will approve claims and issue checks the same day for minor repairs, but larger repairs could take longer. Once your claim is approved, your roofer can begin working on the roof as your insurance company processes the check.
At Bill West Roofing, we have several years of experience repairing and replacing roofs through roof insurance claims. By working with us, you’ll have a strong contractor who offers the best service available. After repairing or replacing your roof, we recommend you get it inspected regularly to keep it at top-notch conditions and prolong its lifespan. Moreover, a roof inspection will make future roofing claims easier since you’ll have photos noting the condition of your roof and written reports of maintenance. Contact us today for all your roofing related needs in Florida and the South Jersey area.
