Roof Insurance Claims
Your roof may have storm-related damage that is not visible from the ground. Shingles DO NOT have to be missing for there to be damage. Even on top of the roof, it takes a trained eye to see the damage. If your roof does have damage, your homeowner’s insurance may pay the cost to repair or replace it depending on the severity. Timing is essential; insurance companies can have a time limit in your policy to report a claim, some as short as six months.
The Insurance Claims Process
If you are a homeowner searching for a trustworthy local roofer, there’s a pretty strong chance that your property has been damaged in a recent storm. Due to the severity of the weather, roofs are replaced every year due to hail and wind damage. Many homeowners’ insurance policies cover these roof replacements.
A roofing company should know the “ins and outs” of the insurance claims process in order to help the members of their community. If your roofing contractor cannot explain your insurance claim in plain English, you may want to request to speak to a company representative.
For many of our customers, a hail/wind claim is the first and last claim they will ever file on their homeowner’s insurance policy. Having a good understanding of this process allows our field representatives to best help homeowners maximize the return on their insurance investments.
If you have recently filed a claim with your insurance company, received an insurance settlement, or would like to know whether it makes sense to pursue an insurance claim, Axis Roofing and our team of claims specialists can help. Call us today and a representative who is well-versed in the claims process will be able to help you in as little as 24 hours.
Five Steps In The Insurance Claim Process
1. Get a roof inspection from a reputable, local roofing company
Many homeowners call their insurance company first, however, your roof may not have damage. In this case you may have this “claim” count against you anyway. Start with a free, no-obligation roof inspection and get a detailed inspection report.
2. If you have damage, make a claim with your insurance
With your inspection report in hand you can file your claim on your homeowner’s policy with confidence. Your insurance company will likely ask you if your roof has already been inspected and if you have selected a contractor. Keep in mind, you can work with any roofing company you wish. It is entirely your choice.
3. Have your insurance adjuster and you roofer inspect your roof together
When they inspect the roof together, they are more likely to be on the same page about what will be covered by insurance. This will save you a lot of back and forth phone calls. And you will be able to get the project started more quickly.
4. Schedule your roof replacement with your selected roofing company
At this point in the process, our customers are assigned a Project Manager who is the homeowner’s point of contact for the duration of the project. Typical roof replacements take 1-2 days, start to finish. You are not required to be home when the work is being done.
5. Your deductible shouhld be your only out-of-pocket expense
Your insurance company will cut you a check and once your roof work is done you will pay that to your roofing contractor. A reputable company will generally require 50% up front or at minimum your ACV check (first insurance payment) and your deductible to do your roof.
Glossary of Terms
Actual cash value (ACV) – The value of your property, based on the current cost to replace it minus depreciation. Also see “replacement cost.”
Agent – A person who sells insurance policies.
Adjuster – An individual employed by an insurer to evaluate losses and settle policyholder claims.
Depreciation – Decrease in the value of property over time due to use or wear and tear. Payment held back for this amount until work is 100% completed.
Deductible – The amount the insured must pay toward the claim, agreed upon with the insurance company “Agent” at the time of policy inception. This deductible amount is to be paid to your contractor.
Insured – The policyholder – the person(s) protected in case of a loss or claim.
Insurer – The insurance company.
Loss – The amount an insurance company pays on a claim.
Replacement cost (RCV) – Pays the dollar amount needed to replace the structure or damaged personal property. ACV – deductible + depreciation = RCV but is limited by the policy’s maximum dollar amount. Some policies may not have full replacement cost value which does not allow for recoverable depreciation. “see depreciation”
