Roofing and Home Insurance: Understanding Coverage and Claims

Are
you Experiencing severe storms, hail, or constant rain? Or maybe it’s
just bad weather? The first line of defense in your home is your
roof. When that roof experiences damage from such a natural disaster,
it’s never fun, but thankfully, this is where having home insurance
comes in handy. As a homeowner, understanding an insurance claim for
roof
damage from a storm
is essential because it makes fixing your roof or paying for a new
one less stressful. Home insurance claims can sometimes be
exhausting, but understanding your coverage answers questions such
as,
Does
home insurance cover roof?
In this text, we shall walk you through everything you need about
home insurance and prepare you for the day you might need it by
understanding its coverage and claims.

Steps
for Filing a Home Insurance Claim

After
an accident, be it thunderstorms or a tree damaging the roof, the
first thing that comes to mind is:
Does
home insurance cover roof leaks?
Before filing the claim, here are some things you must do as a
homeowner.

1.
Assess
the extent of damage immediately:
If you suspect roof damage after a natural disaster, inspect the roof
and your entire Home. An inspection helps you, as a homeowner, notice
leaks, damage to your shingles, damage to your gutters, or even
damage from hailstones to the roof. Carrying out a thorough
examination helps you know the scope of the damage before Speaking
with your insurance adjuster to start a claim.

2.
Get
a Reputable Contractor to reassess the damage:
After the storm and initial assessments, contact a
reputable contractor
to inspect your roof to see whether you spot any signs of wear. An
experienced eye notices underlying damages that, if left unattended,
might lead to further damage. If this is the case, get a written
estimate for the roof damages from the contractor and save the
receipts so they can serve as evidence for reimbursement from your
insurance company later. Please do not wait for the insurance
adjuster’s assessment alone, as they tend to look for ways to
understate the extent of the damage.

3.
Understand
your Insurance Policy:
Before making a claim, it is imperative as a homeowner to understand
the terms and conditions of your policy. It would be unwise to battle
for coverage you do not have. For example, does
getting a new roof lower home insurance,
or
Is your coverage for replacement cost or actual cash value? Regarding
homeowners insurance and roof damage, your policy likely covers
damage to your roof as long as a covered peril causes the damage.

4.
Document
everything:
Getting your insurance claim approved is all about evidence; the more
documentation you can provide, the easier the process. As a
homeowner, before and after the storm or natural disaster pictures
help your insurance adjuster with their roof inspection. You can
document everything by taking notes, photos, and videos of your
property. Such Instances as;

Getting
a new property, carrying out renovations and maintenance, or after a
major disaster should be accompanied by pictures with a time and date
stamp and also from multiple angles. With some Insurance claims, what
starts as a seemingly simple claim could escalate into a nightmare.
You’ll be glad if you kept records from the start, including photos
and notes of when you spoke to your adjuster if
home
insurance roof leak are covered
and what they told you.

Factors
that Could affect your Roof claim

• How
  often do you file for Insurance claims: Filing for everything
  serially reduces how seriously your insurance company takes you.

• Pre-existing
  damage

• Poor
  installation: If damages are a result of errors on your contractor’s
  part, the insurance company would most likely deny your claim

• How
  knowledgeable are you and your advisors? Having a reputable
  contractor who knows what insurance companies require helps expedite
  your process. Still, the opposite complicates it, and your claim
  could be denied due to poor documentation.

• Negligence:
  Damages such as leaving your gutters unkempt or poor ventilation
  caused by poor maintenance on the part of the homeowner can also
  lead to claims being rejected.

We
know how stressful getting your Home in the best possible shape is,
and that is why, throughout the years, we’ve answered so many
questions and understand the common issues that will most likely
arise upon inspecting your roof. Contact us today at
Findlay Roofing
for the best analysis and assessment from a reputable contractor.