Replacing a roof is a hassle. If your insurance covers repairs or roof replacement after damages caused by the weather, do not be afraid to ask them to cover the costs. While it can be daunting, it is worth going through your insurance as the roof work can be expensive. This article will help to navigate the process of how to get your insurance to pay for roof replacement.
Double-check your policy
Some homeowner insurance companies include roof replacement as part of their policy. Be sure to read through your policy to understand what your policy covers. If your policy will pay to replace the roof, or even pay for repairs, the next step is to review the company’s process of how to file a claim. Insurance companies set out their requirements before they reimburse you and the roofing company. Understanding the requirements will help you avoid making a mistake later in the process.
Provide proof
Taking photos of the damages as soon as it is safe to do so will help make your case to insurance that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. If you are not comfortable with taking the photos yourself, you can hire a roofing company to assist with this. Using a drone is also a great way to see, and take photos of, the damage as well.
In addition, it is recommended that you document when the damage occurred. If you have photos of your house prior to the damages, include them as part of the submission to your insurance. You can also submit a local newspaper article discussing the weather that caused the damages. For example, if your town experienced hail, include a newspaper clipping about the event.
How to take photos of different types of damage:
Wind damage
Photograph the missing shingles on your roof. If you find any shingles on the ground, take photos of them as well. You may even want to photograph a tape measure to show how far they were flung from the roof.
Tree damage
Take photos of the tree that fell as well as the surrounding area. It is best to show how the tree fell onto the roof, so take multiple photos.
Hail damage
If you are on the roof, you can see hail damage in the form of dents on the shingles. Dents on anything metal on your roof, such as the vents and flashing, can also indicate hail damage. If you are on the ground, you can find hail damage in the form of dents and dings to a garage door and downspouts. Painted wood and soft metals on your property can also indicate hail damage.
Contact your insurance company
Reach out to your insurance company, submitting whatever never necessary documentation is required to get past the first step. The claim process can be tedious and arduous so doing what is required without too much delay should make the process a little smoother. The insurance company may send out an adjuster to your property or request that you reach out to a local roofing company.
Inspector’s report
Do your research and find an inspector who will be honest when providing you with an estimate. Speak with your neighbors and friends to get a sense of what you can reasonably expect to pay for an inspector as well as the quality of their reports. Once you have the inspector’s report, submit the report to the insurance company.
Get an estimate
If you work with an inspector from a roofing company, you can also ask them to give you a quote. Don’t feel obligated to use them though. You can shop around to make sure that you’re going to get quality workmanship and materials for your roof repair or replacement. The roofing company can also provide you with the proper paperwork to submit to the insurance company.
Coordinate the work with your insurance company
To avoid any disqualifications from the insurance company, it is always best to speak with your insurance company about the work to be done to your roof. You will need to wait until insurance approves the work and provide proof of the work once it’s completed. Don’t wait until the last second to get everything done.
Tips
- Keep in contact with your insurance company.
- Stay organized throughout the process.
- Get referrals from trusted sources.
