How do you get roof replacements from your insurance company?

This article will not show any magic for everyone to get a new roof replacement from insurance companies. But if you have valid reasons for claiming roof replacement, this article will help you from start to finish.

Also, I will provide additional information to supplement your understanding of the insurance coverage, policy, and how things work correctly.

Does home insurance cover roof replacement?

Before I explain anything about the claiming process, you should know if it covers the roof replacement. This is the first question you may wonder about.

The short answer is yes. Your home insurance covers roof replacement.

The longer answer is also yes, but it depends on many things. Such as how much is damaged, the roof’s age, if you have taken care of or neglected it, types of damage, etc. And this is where the validity or roof insurance coverage comes in.

I will discuss more of these as I go through this article. Until this point, remember that your home insurance covers roof replacements in certain conditions.

When does your insurance not cover roof replacement?

Only knowing the claiming process will not help you get the replacement because there are certain cases where the insurance company may have policy exclusions.

Not all insurance companies are equal, but most policies are similar (ultimately the same).

Here are some of the situations where your insurance may not cover the roof replacement:

• Over aged such as 20 years
• Neglect (those who have lack of maintenance)
• Improper installation
• Excluded perils/causes of damage such as earthquakes, floods, etc
• Unapproved modifications, such as installing solar panels as an example
• Material limitations (some insurance policies may specify the types of roofing materials)
• Overdue for replacement (if the roof needed replacement before the insurance policy was started)
• Failure to report damage promptly & properly

Insurance is designed to cover sudden and unexpected damages even though there are some limitations for certain & specific cases. This is why it’s important to read & understand your insurance policy and your rights.

Is the above list not applicable to you? Okay, fine, let’s move on.

Get roof replacements from your insurance company

As a homeowner, it can be stressful when your roof is damaged and needs replacement. However, if you have insurance coverage for your home, you may be able to get help paying for the cost of a new roof.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a roof replacement from your insurance company.

Understanding your insurance policy

It’s important to understand your insurance policy and what it covers. This is what I already have discussed above. If you passed all the checks, then you’re good to go. However, it’s still very important to document everything correctly and claim promptly.

To fast forward and avoid mistakes, you can also get help from a professional roofing contractor, especially for documenting the damages and walking you through the claiming process. However, be aware of fraud. I will discuss more on this later.

Documenting roof damage

Documenting roof damage can be hard for homeowners. Also, there is a chance to make mistakes and file with missing information. And it may cause a denial of your insurance claim.

Anyway, follow all the steps properly as the insurance company asked & directed. Ask them or hire a professional to help with the documentation if anything is unclear. Contacting a reliable & reputable roofing contractor will be worth it.

Lastly, keep all documentation of the damage and repairs in a safe place and make at least two copies.

Filing an insurance claim

Once you have documented the damage and obtained an estimate for repairs or replacement, filing an insurance claim is time.

Contact your insurance company to discuss the claim and obtain a claim number. Ensure you include all documentation of the damage and repairs in your claim.

After that, your insurance company will send an inspector/adjuster to inspect the damage and estimate the cost for repair or replacement or whatever you are eligible for. This process of inspection is a little irritating and time-consuming. They suspect many things that you may not even imagine. However, be patient until the adjuster completes assessing the damages.

Working with a roofing contractor

When repairing or replacing your roof, working with a reputable roofing contractor is important. Look for a contractor with experience & license. Also, consider contacting a local roofing contractor specializing in insurance claims and repairs.

This is important because the roofing contractor has to work with the insurance company to replace/repair your roof according to their policy. Otherwise, you may get into trouble, especially if the roof becomes damaged again.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Getting a roof replacement from your insurance company can be complex, but it can be done successfully with the right information and support.

Aside from understanding the insurance policy, document the damage in the highest priority & properly, file an insurance claim at the earliest time possible & get a claim number, and work with a reputable roofing contractor. If you follow my guidelines, your process will be smooth & faster.

If you are a homeowner in Rhode Island, contact us for assistance with insurance claims, replacements, repairs, and all kinds of roofing needs.