How to File an Insurance Claim
Charlotte Ace Roofing in Charlotte NC works with all insurance companies. According to Forbes Home Advisor, if your roof needs to be replaced, be prepared for an average bill of $31,535 for asphalt shingles and $51,436 for metal roofing, according to 2022 data from Remodeling magazine. Of course, this will depend on the roof size and your location. In Charlotte area average single-family roofs are about $18,000 to $30,000.
Homeowners insurance can cover the cost after certain types of roof damage, but you can’t always count on an insurance payment. Here’s what is covered, what isn’t and tips to file a roof damage claim.
Types of Roof Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance
The dwelling coverage portion of your homeowner’s insurance covers the house structure, including the roof.
Types of roof damage in Charlotte area that are covered by your insurance will depend on the policy’s terms and the reasons your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Typically, a policy covers problems that are sudden or accidental, and caused by certain events such as wind, fire or hail.
Insurance for partial roof damage
In some cases, the lifespan of the roof is shortened because of damage. Your insurer may cover the cost to replace the entire roof even if it’s only partially damaged. For example, if a homeowner has asphalt shingles damaged by hail strikes, an adjuster will count how many strikes occurred in a section to determine the impact on the lifespan of the roof. If there are enough strikes, the roof lifespan is substantially impacted, and it needs to be replaced. Charlotte Ace Roofing can assess the damage prior to contacting your insurance.
“Even if a roof isn’t taking in water right now, the erosion or strikes compromise the lifespan of the roof. This means a roof will never last as long as it should have lasted otherwise, therefore it should be replaced,” says Steve Severaid, president of The Greenspan Co./Adjusters International. It is important to let your insurance know about the roof damage right away, do not wait because if you wait too long, insurance may deny your storm damage.
Insurance for matching issues with roof material
If the materials to fix your roof are unavailable, your insurance company may have to replace the entire roof. For example, if you have slate tile that you can’t get any more, you may have to replace the entire roof to ensure materials match. Charlotte Ace Roofing works with all insurances and can handle the entire storm damage repair or replace process from start to finish.
Consider Your Deductible
The home insurance deductible is the amount you must pay for repairs before your insurance company covers the rest of the cost. It is never a good idea to try and “burry the deductible”.
Assess the damage
If you suspect there is roof damage from a storm, inspect your entire home, not just the roof. You’ll want to know the scope of the damage when you contact your insurer to start a claim.
Be prompt
Time is of the essence when dealing with a roof claim. “The longer a roof sits with damage, the more weather and dirt makes it less obvious what the damage is since it looks like wear and tear,” says Severaid.
Keep a log of correspondence
What starts out as a seemingly simple claim could blow up into a nightmare. You’ll be glad if you kept records from the start, including photos, who you spoke to when and what they told you.
Tips: What to Do If You Get Roof Damage
Any damage to your home could be cause for alarm. Roofs especially serve a vital purpose of protecting the dwelling from the elements. Here’s what to do if your roof gets damaged.
Protect the home from further damage
If a tornado rips through your neighborhood and tears part of your roof off, protect your home from further damage. In fact, preventing further damage when possible is often a requirement in homeowners’ policies, and further damage may not be covered. You may need to put up a tarp while you alert your insurer.
Don’t let the insurance company boss you around
This is very important for homeowners…. Insurance companies are businesses and may not have your best interests in mind. Especially when it comes to paying out roof damage claims. If you’re not doing a good job of explaining what they should be paying you, they have no fiduciary obligation.
You’re entitled to fair trade pricing, so make sure you have a solid repair estimate. If you have a large or complicated claim, consider hiring a public adjuster to work on your behalf.
Don’t get multiple estimates
If you get multiple estimates, your insurance company will want to see all of them. They may only accept the lowest one. The lowest estimate may not be the best quality.
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