DOES INSURANCE COVER ROOF REPAIRS?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a home or business owner, you probably know that insurance can protect you from a lot of the costs that storms, debris, and unfortunate events cause to your home or business. In most cases, insurance is mandatory, not only to protect you but to protect those in or around your building if any damage is sustained. This leads to the common questions the NexGen Roofing & Exteriors gets consistently: “Will insurance cover my roof repairs?”

The answer is not as straightforward as most of us would like because it all depends on what your policy states. For most, their home or business insurance policy is very specific on what it will and won’t cover in regards to a roof or building damages. It’s important that you either have your insurance agent educate you or you give your policy a full read-through.

If your insurance does cover your roof repairs, there is a specific process that you want to follow to maximize the payout of your roof repairs. Below, NexGen Roofing & Exteriors is going to share this process so that you can get your roof repaired.

HOW TO BEST APPROACH GETTING YOUR INSURANCE TO COVER ROOF REPAIRS

Roof repairs can be costly. Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to do more than replace your roof. Collateral damage can include structural and aesthetic features of your home or business, which can cost you a ton. Here’s the process to get your insurance to cover your roof repairs:

#1. PROOF OF CLAIM

It’s a tough truth to accept, but your insurance companies do not want to cover your claim. They will work to make sure they don’t have to pay for your roof repairs. This means that insurance companies will scrutinize your claim. To combat scrutiny, you need to have before and after photos, a history of your roof repairs, and a list of receipts and projects for prior roof repair services. Gather proof that your roof repairs are a result of storms, debris, or negligence to increase your chances of getting your claim approved.

#2. REVIEW YOUR POLICY COVERAGE

As mentioned above, you want to know exactly what your policy does and does not cover. You don’t want to spend all your time building a case for yourself when your insurance doesn’t even cover it. On the other hand, your insurance may cover more than you expected. In any situation, know your policy and what you can do to get the insurance in on the repair bills.

#3. THE DECADE MARK

If your roof has aged beyond the 10-year mark, your insurance may give you a depreciated value difference on the roof prior to it being damaged instead of paying for the repairs. While this can help pay for the repair bills, it may not be enough. You can go for the full repair money and chance losing all support or you can take the difference and cover the remaining. Other options include pitching the idea that damages are too serious and you need to replace the entire roof.

#4. INSPECTION AND REPORTING

To approve your roof repair claim, an insurance agent will be dispatched to your home or business to inspect your roof. They will determine if the damage is due to aging or otherwise. If your roof is simply aging, your policy probably won’t cover it. If the damage is due to a storm, debris, or negligence, your policy may cover it. This all depends on what the inspector reports.

#5. ESTIMATES

Your insurance company may require you to get up to five estimates from local roofers in your area. This is for the insurance company to determine what the repairs will cost and who to pay for it. In most cases, your insurance company will pay out less than the cheapest bid in those estimates. So, it’s best to tell your local roofers that it’s for an insurance claim. They will, typically, help you out when it comes to price and getting the claim from insurance.

#6. MATERIALS

In the roofing estimate, you may need to specify which type of roofing material is needed to get the insurance’s approval. Typically, your insurance company will want a specific type of material that follows local wind, load, and durability standards and requirements. In some cases, your insurance company will only pay for the claim if you use a specific type of roofing material. Watch out for this.

#7. KNOW YOUR POLICY

Get with your insurance agent or read your insurance policy. It’s more important that you know the specifics of your home insurance policy than what happened on your favorite TV show. You want to know what your monthly insurance payments actually cover. Many home and business owners read their policies after they’ve purchased them and realize they don’t cover a whole lot. This is why it’s important to know how you’re covered and how you can leverage your insurance policy to cover your roof repair needs.

WHEN TO CALL NEXGEN ROOFING & EXTERIORS

At NexGen Roofing & Exteriors, we will work with you to get your insurance claim approved. Our roof repair services are meant to remove the worry and stress of your roof being damaged. Review our roofing repair services to learn more:

Residential Roof Repairs
Commercial Roof Repairs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]