How to Negotiate Roof Replacement with your Insurance

To ensure you get the coverage, you require right away, use this guide to learn how to negotiate roof replacement with your insurance provider.

One of your home’s main protections is its roof, which is commonly incredibly durable. However, a sudden storm or other severe weather can easily cause damage to any roof. You don’t want to let storm damage to your roof get worse if it does occur. Instead, you’ll need to make an insurance claim and bargain with your insurance provider.

So, don’t worry if your home sustains roof damage and you’re unsure of what to do.

What is roof coverage?

This type of coverage in a homeowners insurance policy typically helps protect your home’s structure, including the roof, from specific perils or causes of damage. Fire, wind, and hail damage are all common perils.

Make Sure You Have a Legitimate Claim before filling a claim.

Before submitting a claim, make sure to read your homeowner’s insurance policy in its entirety because every policy is different. In order to get a qualified opinion, you should also plan a roof inspection.

As a result, the following are some things that insurance companies DO NOT cover:

• General wear and tear are not covered: To win an insurance claim, you’ll need to show more than just general wear and tear.
• Lack of maintenance is not covered: The insurance company expects you to keep your roof in good condition. This is why we advocate for routine roof inspections. When you demonstrate a track record of inspections and maintenance, you are more likely to win a claim when you file one.
• Mold and mildew in and of itself is not a covered peril: Some homeowners believe they should be able to file a claim because they have mold on their roof, but this is not the case.
• Damage from pests or birds is unlikely to win you an insurance claim: This type of damage may appear to be caused by “nature,” but most policies do not cover it. You should not file in these circumstances.
• Damage caused by a contractor is not covered: Ensure that anyone working on or near your roof has their own insurance in case something is damaged.
• Earth movements, such as earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, or sinkholes, are typically not covered: However, you should check your policy to confirm because these events are covered in some states.

Having said that, many homes have been damaged by a variety of factors. Damage from the aforementioned factors may not disqualify you; however, it cannot be the reason you are filing your claim.

A professional roof inspection is important because they can use their experience and expertise to determine the cause of damage and the best course of action for filing your claim.

File a Rock-Solid Insurance Claim

Here are some pointers on how to make an excellent insurance claim to your insurance company.

• Get a Professional Roof Inspection

Getting a professional roof inspection is always the first step. A traditional inspection or a drone roof inspection are both options. A thorough analysis with detailed documentation must be performed by a professional.

• Review Your Policy

Examine your entire insurance policy. Check to see if the claim you’re about to make is covered by the terms of your policy. Is wind and hail coverage, for example, included? Are there any restrictions? Examine any important details that pertain to your claim.

• Prepare your Documents

Maintain all relevant documents and information, such as inspection reports, before and after photos, and records of previous repairs. The more detailed and organized you are, the better you will be able to negotiate.

• Be Prompt 

The longer you wait after damage occurs, the less likely it is that your claim will be accepted. This is so that the insurance provider can use other factors to disqualify your claim that may have something to do with the roof’s condition. You should file as soon as possible.

• Record Your Correspondence

Having a record of all of your correspondence from the start will be beneficial. Include the names of the individuals you spoke with, the occasions on which you spoke with representatives or adjusters, and the outcomes of those conversations.

How to Negotiate a Roof Replacement with your Insurance Company

Key Negotiation Tips

Here are some important negotiation pointers for negotiating roof replacement with insurance to make sure everything goes smoothly.

• Understand what your policy can and cannot cover. There is no insurance policy that covers all aspects of home maintenance. Your policy specifies exclusions.
• Make certain that you adhere to every step of the claim process outlined in your policy, as well as that you meet all deadlines and contractual obligations outlined in your policy.
• Understand which provisions of your insurance policy are open to interpretation. You can ask your insurance agent for clarification on any sections or parts of your policy that you are unsure about.
• Plan your claim strategy based on a thorough understanding of your coverages, exclusions, and policy limits.
• Document all negotiations and correspondence for future reference.
• Show your claims adjuster your documentation. Have a set of documents that you can give to the adjuster without fear of losing any of the documents you’ve completed.

Negotiate the settlement that you require and deserve. Bid for the highest possible payment allowed by your policy terms.

Conclusion

If you have roof damage and are thinking about filing a claim on how to negotiate roof replacement with your insurance, don’t do it on your own. Having an expert on your side improves your chances of success and raises your average payout. Best of all, working with one will not cost you anything extra. Get yourself an expert today.