File Roofing Insurance Claim

If you’re a homeowner, you know how important it is to protect your home from damage. Your roof is often the first line of defense against the elements, and severe weather like hurricanes, tornados, and hail can cause significant damage. When this happens, it’s important to quickly, safely, and affordably repair the damage. This is where a homeowners insurance claim can come in handy. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of filing a roofing insurance claim and help you understand what to expect.

Before you contact your insurance agent, it’s important to document the damage to your roof. Take multiple pictures of the interior and exterior of your home, as well as detailed notes. If the damage was caused by a storm, document the date and time. If damage occurred from hail, it’s smart to document the size of the hail with a tape measure. After documenting the damage, take steps to prevent further damage to your home before contacting your insurance.

Your homeowners insurance usually covers four main types of coverage: Dwelling Insurance, Personal Property Insurance, Liability Insurance, and Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Insurance. Dwelling insurance protects the structure of your home, including your windows, garage, and built-in appliances like your water heater or HVAC. Personal property insurance covers your personal belongings like furniture, clothing, electronics, jewelry, and kitchen appliances. Liability insurance assists if someone has been hurt or injured on your property, like a dog bite or falling off a ladder. ALE insurance helps cover temporary housing costs when your home is uninhabitable after an event. You can learn how these coverages protect you and your home on your homeowner insurance policy declaration page.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, standard homeowners policies cover a wide range of potential disasters including tornadoes, lightning strikes, fire, wind, hail, and falling objects. But it’s important to note that not all natural disasters are covered in your policy. For example, damage caused by floods and earthquakes are not typically part of your homeowners insurance policy. Normal wear and tear on your home and damage due to lack of maintenance, mold, or infestation from termites or other pests are also not usually covered.

When it comes to storm damage to your home, it will usually fall under your dwelling insurance. This damage may impact your roof, walls, windows, floors, foundation, or built-in appliances like your air conditioning unit. Once you have documented the damage and taken action to prevent further damage, you can begin the claims process. It’s important to file a claim as soon as possible after an event. Most companies make it easy for homeowners to navigate this process on their website or mobile app, but you can also call the number listed on your policy. To submit a claim, you will need your policy number and an explanation/summary of damages. Your insurance agent will discuss your current policy, what’s covered, and your next steps.

After filing a claim, you will be asked to schedule an appointment with an insurance adjuster. Before meeting with the adjuster, we recommend receiving three to four project estimates from local, trusted contractors. These contractors should provide free estimates, but not begin any repairs yet. Keep all of the estimates and any additional relevant paperwork organized. You will share these details with your insurance adjuster at your meeting. Make sure you don’t sign a contract or agreement or make any type of payment until your insurance provider has approved the estimate.

It’s important to understand your homeowners insurance deductible throughout this process. This deductible is the amount you will have to pay before receiving reimbursement from your insurance provider. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, but the cost to repair your roof is $800, your deductible would not be met. You would not receive any money back from your insurance company. In this case, you may choose to repair the roof on your own. If it costs $3,000 to repair your damaged roof, and your deductible is $1,000, you would file a claim and pay your deductible. Your insurance provider would cover the additional $2,000 cost.

Once your claim has been approved, and you have reached a settlement for the cost of repairs, it’s time to work with a licensed contractor to repair your roof. Your insurance provider will typically send an advance for half of the payment to allow you to begin repairs. The last half will be sent upon completion, minus your deductible.

At Home Exterior Solutions LLC, we understand how stressful it can be to navigate the process of filing a roofing insurance claim. That’s why we’re here to help. We’re a trusted roofing contractor located in Richmond, VA, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need help documenting the damage to your roof or navigating the claims process, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our roofing replacement services.