How To: Filing an insurance Claim
When investing in homeowners insurance always read the policy before you decide what to get and then when you do experience some type of damage to your home (ie. roof, siding, gutters, etc.), then reread your policy. Some times roof repairs are not included in the policies, so it’s always better to find one that includes it before settling with a policy. That being said, here’s the steps on what to do once you experience roof damage:
Reread your homeowner insurance policy and contact your insurance agent ASAP to make sure you understand their procedures for roof repairs and roof replacements. Also, learn how to file a claim, but don’t file yet. Just keep in mind, that sometimes insurance companies assign a specific amount of time to file after damages occur.
Assess the damages and prove your roof is damaged by collecting all the evidence of damages by documenting date, time, and what caused the damages. For example, if a tree fell, then do not remove the tree unless it still poses as a threat to your home. At this step, it’s best to reach out to a local roofing company, like us, to inspect your roof before filing a claim with your insurance agent. Investing in a roof inspection will most likely save you time and money in the long run as insurance companies are more likely to consider and review your claim. Contacting a roofing company first also gives a more accurate inspection detailing everything that is wrong the roof instead of what the insurance adjuster may just skim over or not even realize its there. Typically, however, insurance companies do not pay for the initial roof inspections, but it is crucial to getting your claim approved. In our roof inspections, we provide pictures of the concerning/damaged areas and our contractor provides a detailed report about the roof’s condition (typically 1-2 pages long), predicted life expectancy if not repaired/replaced, and estimate(s) for the necessary repairs/replacement.
File a claim with the help of your insurance agent. At this point, an insurance adjuster will be sent out to perform their own inspection of the roof. If you’ve already contacted a local roofing company, like us, sometimes the roofer will be able to meet with the insurance adjuster and, if requested, be on standby to advocate for you.
Wait. . . Simply just wait to hear back from your insurance company. The waiting period to see if you’re claim is accepted or denied can take up to 15 days unless told differently by your insurance agent.
If your claim is accepted and the settlement quote meets the cost for roof repairs or replacement, then it’s time to get your roof fixed. Contact your local roofing company again to schedule the repairs/replacement.
Now that you know the process of homeowners insurance and how to submit a claim, it goes without saying that each insurance policy has different stipulations and requirements for what they’ll cover, so it’s important to pay attention to what the policy covers before choosing your homeowner’s insurance. That way, when and if you ever submit an insurance claim, then you will be more likely to get it approved.
