Homeowners must learn how to file insurance claims to see what their insurance company covers regarding repairs or replacements.
Homeowners need to go through the step-by-step process for filing roof damage claims so they can receive full reimbursement for any damage.
Steps of How to File a Storm Damage Roof Insurance Claim
Homeowners need to follow the steps of filing a roof insurance claim to avoid missteps or misinformation.
1. Analyze the Damage on the Roof
The first step in finding out how to file a roof insurance claim is to assess the damage to your roof’s structure. If you don’t know the damage’s extent or do not have the means to assess the damage to the structure, you can hire a roofing company or roofing contractor to do it for you. Make sure you contact them ahead of time to get a quote and find the total price.
2. Find Out Your Insurance Coverage
The next step in filing a storm damage claim is to find out what your insurance already covers, such as damage to a storm drain, gutters, missing shingles, and other common issues.
Contact your insurance company to see if the homeowners insurance covers your claim for roof damage. In some cases, an insurance claim for roof damage may only cover the actual cash value of specific repairs.
3. Take Photos and Record Roof Damage
When it comes to filing a home insurance claim, the best thing you can do is protect and safeguard yourself by recording the damage to the roof. Without any proof, the company won’t be able to verify the roof claim of storm damage. Make sure you fill out a report of the damaged items, the date of the storm, and potential interior damage that occurred after the storm.
Furthermore, you want to be fast when you are filing a homeowners insurance claim process. Suppose your roof has extensive damage to the structure, multiple missing shingles, and other structural concerns. In that case, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to avoid further deterioration.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
The fourth step of filing a roofing claim is to contact your insurer and find out their steps for renovations, repairs, and roof replacements. Make sure that when you speak with your insurance company, you record all conversations or transactions, including photos and statistics.
5. Hire a Local Roofer
Find a local roofer by contacting various companies, checking online reviews, and comparing quotes and prices. Before you hire a reputable professional to work on your house, you should consider these facts:
- Get it in writing: Make sure you get in writing what exactly needs to be done, the total price, and the time frame. A roofing contractor may go back on their word if they cannot do the required job.
- Take photos: Homeowners should start by taking photos of the damage they are dealing with to show their local roofing contractor.
6. File a Roof Damage Claim
The next step is to file your insurance claim for roof repair through your insurance company. If the inside of your home has also been damaged in the storm, take photos, keep receipts from furniture, and determine the average costs of repairs to the inside and outside of your house. Keeping a good relationship with your insurance company is key to understanding what your insurance company decides can be reimbursed.
For example, some insurance companies may not cover hail damage in a roof claim. In contrast, others can replace an entire roof due to wind and hail damage.
7. Contact an Insurance Adjuster
Once you file the claim, contact your insurance adjuster so they can validate your roof claim and find out what needs to be done on your house. The insurance adjuster can approve your claim by creating a higher deductible through the insurance process.
Using a public adjuster can help homeowners increase the total cost of a claim through roof damage, whether for a full replacement or contractor inspection.
8. Pay for the Roof Replacement
The last step of filing a claim is paying for the final product—the roof replacement! A homeowner needs to find out the actual cash value for the repairs or replacements on their home. Determining the dwelling coverage for their property and getting a final say on the estimated house value can help prepare for paying for a roof replacement.
Additional Costs
The two main costs associated with filing a claim include homeowner’s insurance and paying for a new roof.
Average Roof Replacement Cost
Determining the average price of a roof replacement can help you figure out how to budget for your necessary repairs or renovations. The average roof replacement cost value will usually reach upwards of 60% of the resale value for a future transaction.
In terms of putting aside money for a new roof, homeowners should consider saving between $5,000 and $8,500, depending on the size of their house, the geographical location, and the roofing materials required.
Homeowners Insurance Cost
Homeowners insurance coverage can sometimes cover roof damage, but it may not cover extensive damage or file under certain insurance policies. There are typically a few types of roof damage that fall under an insurance policy:
- Partial roof damage: Partial roof damage is usually covered by homeowner’s insurance if you don’t have to replace the entire structure. When you analyze your house, make sure you take into account wind damage, partially damaged shingles, severe weather damage, or further damage caused by a fallen tree branch, strong hail, etc. If a few shingles are damaged by snow, wind, or hail, insurance may cover the repairs or renovations.
- Roof material: Homeowners insurance usually covers roofs that no longer use materials currently in production.
As you can see, there are a few key steps that every house owner must follow when it comes to filing a claim and paying for a roof repair or replacement. After the initial analysis, owners must determine their personal insurance coverage, contact their insurance company, and document the damage to move forward with the claims process.
