NEED TO MAKE AN INSURANCE ROOF CLAIM?

Most homeowner policies consider damage from hail, wind and storms damage an insurance loss, and your insurer will usually pay the entire cost, less your deductible, for replacing a damaged roof.

And because a weather-related claim is considered the result of a natural disaster, it doesn’t count against you for future rate increases.

Homestead Roofing is ready to help you with the paperwork needed to begin the roof replacement; in fact, we will meet with your insurance adjuster if requested. You should not have to pay out-of-pocket expense other than your insurance deductible.

Roof Insurance Claim Process

• 1. You provide us with a copy of your insurance adjusters summary report; we review the scope of work required, and check all measurements to be sure all damage is evaluated fairly and reported accurately .
• 2. We write out a contract matching all the work specified in the insurance adjuster’s summary report. We will add any supplements that should be included if the insurance adjuster missed something.
• 3. The signed contract is sent to the insurance company.
• 4. If your home is mortgaged, both your name and the mortgage company’s name will most likely be on the check. There will probably be several forms to be filled out and notarized. Once the check has been endorsed, we can begin.

FAQ About Roofing Insurance Claims

Q. My roof isn’t leaking. Why do I need a hail damage inspection?
A. Hailstorms drop hailstones of varying sizes and shapes. The small ones may not cause any harm, but large or irregularly shaped hailstones often cause severe damage which may not be easily seen and may not leak for months. If your roof has been through a hailstorm, it’s best to have a state licensed roofing contractor inspect it. He can help you determine if you need to file an insurance claim. If so, be sure an insurance adjuster assess the total amount of damage as soon as possible.

Q. Will the insurance company cover the total replacement value of my roof?
A. Yes. Virtually all home owners policies cover full replacement value. You will be paid first for the Actual Value (AV), which reflects what the roof is worth today (based on useful remaining life of the roof). Any money withheld is call the depreciation or Replacement Value (RV). You will receive a check that covers the RV when the work is completed, or upon the submission of the signed work contract for the items specified in the insurance adjusters summary report.

Q. Why do I have to wait for the depreciation payment check?
A. Insurance companies often hold that part of the payment to make ensure you get the work done. It’s known that sometimes customers get all the money for the roofing, but spend it on something else. Plus, your deductible needs to be covered before the final payout. By holding back some of the money, the company can adjust the final payout amount based on the roofing contractor’s invoice, and be certain that the customer pays the deductible.

Q. Can I avoid paying my deductible?
A. Legally, no. If you and a roofer submit false invoices to avoid the deductible, that’s insurance fraud. We won’t do that.

Q. Does the insurance company take the deductible amount from my check?
A. No – you are responsible for paying that amount directly to the contractor. The company will subtract that amount on the paperwork for the claim, and the bottom line reflects what the company will pay for.

Q. During the last storm, my insurer only paid for part of my roof, while my next door neighbor’s roof was entirely paid for. Does that make sense?
A. Yes, because every roof is damaged differently. Some houses may have just a small patch of damage, while some roofs are totaled. The insurance company will only pay for actual damages incurred. If there is any debate about the extent of the damage, ask your roofing contractor to inspect the roof with your insurance adjuster to accurately assess it. The adjuster may not see all the damage if they aren’t able to walk the roof and photograph certain areas.

Q. Should I get several estimates?
A. That’s prudent, but when insurance is paying for the replacement, the dollar amount of the estimate simply needs to be equal to, or less than, the insurer’s estimate. Since you will pay only your deductible out of pocket, your decision should be based on choosing the contractor you feel will do the best job, and with whom you feel most comfortable.

Q. What if your estimate is higher than the insurance company’s?
A. When this happens, it’s generally because the adjuster missed something in the scope of work to be completed. We can almost always work something out with the insurance company by submitting supplemental documentation -- pictures, measurements and paperwork. After reviewing and approving these changes, the company will send a check to cover the costs.