Filing a roof insurance claim doesn’t have to be daunting. To get the most out of your coverage, you’ll want to understand the claims process, common terminology, and when avoiding a claim is in your best interest. Our CoMitted 365 roofing experts explain what you need to know about the process.

WHAT KIND OF ROOF DAMAGE IS COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Roof damage coverage varies depending on the insurance policy, insurer, and the cause of damage. Typically, homeowners insurance policies cover the following:

• Weather-related events: storm damage from windstorms, hail, lightning, snow, ice, and other severe weather conditions.
• Fire and smoke 
• Falling objects (i.e., tree limb, debris, or other object)
• Vandalism and malicious mischief
• Accidental damage

Review your insurance policy carefully to understand what’s covered and any limitations or exclusions that may apply. Additionally, remember that insurance coverage may not include damage due to lack of maintenance, normal wear and tear, cosmetic damage, or specific perils like earthquakes or floods. Talk to your insurance agent or broker about your roof insurance options.

HOW TO FILE A ROOF INSURANCE CLAIM

Filing a roof insurance claim involves several steps to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for damages to your roof. Here’s a simplified guide:

1. Assess the Damage: After a storm or event that caused damage, inspect it thoroughly. Look for missing or cracked shingles, leaks, dents in metal roofs, or other visible issues. Pro tip: Don’t climb your roof unless you have the necessary skills and equipment. It’s much better to look up from the ground and document what you see.
2. Review Your Insurance Policy: Pay particular attention to what is covered under your homeowner’s insurance. Note deductibles, coverage limits, and exclusions and consider supplemental coverage to cover future incidents.
3. Document the Damage: Take photographs and videos of the damage, using multiple angles and close-ups, to provide comprehensive documentation to support your claim.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the damage as soon as possible. Most insurance providers have specific procedures for filing claims—make sure you’re following their process.Optional Step: Call a Local Roofing Company. Consider having a trustworthy roofing company assess the damage before calling insurance. If the repairs the roofing company suggests are simple enough, paying for them out of pocket may be worth it. Once you file an insurance claim, it will stay with your property forever. Some realtors suggest you don’t want too many insurance claims on your home because potential buyers can look up the entire claim history.
5. Schedule an Inspection: Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage to your roof. Coordinate with them to schedule a convenient time for the inspection. Be prepared to provide access to your roof and relevant documentation.
6. Obtain Repair Estimates: While waiting for the adjuster’s inspection, gather estimates from reputable roofing contractors. 
7. Protect Your Home: If the damage is extensive, take steps to protect your home using a roof tarp or other safety measures. Not only will this help secure your property, but insurance often doesn’t cover future damage.
8. Meet with the Adjuster: During the inspection, the adjuster will assess the type of damage, taking into account missing or damaged shingles, signs of water damage, and evidence of wear and tear. They’ll also consider the type of roof and whether repairs or a total replacement are necessary. Pro-tip: Be present during the adjuster’s inspection of your roof. Point out areas of damage and provide any additional information or documentation. Be cooperative and answer any questions they have.
9. Review the Adjuster’s Report: After the inspection, the adjuster will provide a report detailing their findings and recommended repairs. Review this report carefully to ensure all damage has been accurately documented.
10. File the Claim: Once you’ve gathered all necessary documentation, including the adjuster’s report and repair estimates, submit your claim to your insurance company according to their specified process. We’ll dive deeper into the claims process in the next section.
11. Follow-Up: Communicate with your insurance company. They may require additional documentation; be responsive and provide any requested information promptly.
12. Review Settlement Offer: Once your claim is processed, your insurance company will provide a settlement offer. Review this offer carefully to ensure it covers the full cost of restoration or replacement. If you have concerns, discuss them with your insurance company.
13. Proceed with Repairs: If you accept the settlement offer, proceed with the work. Keep records of all related expenses; your insurance company may require them for reimbursement.
14. Receive Your Settlement: In most cases, you’ll receive your settlement 30-60 days after agreeing to it. Remember, this is just an estimate; it ultimately depends on many factors in your area!
15. Keep an Ongoing Record: File away copies of all communication, documentation, and receipts related to your roof insurance claim for your records.

Will My Insurance Premium Go Up Following a Roof Damage Claim?

Yes, it will likely go up. But don’t let that stop you from submitting a claim if you think it’s in your best interest.

Will Insurance Cover a 20-Year-Old Roof?

Depending on your policy, your roof’s condition, and the type of damage suffered, a 20-year-old roof might be ineligible for coverage, or you might only receive the actual cash value. It depends on your policy and roof.

TIPS FOR THE INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESS

Insurance claim documents can be confusing—full of vague or unfamiliar language. However, it’s essential to understand the key elements because if you fill them out incorrectly, you could miss out on or be denied coverage. Our experts at CoMitted 365 have put together a few tips to help you better understand the claims process.

 

TIP #1: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH XACTIMATE SOFTWARE

Xactimate is a software application used by most insurance companies to build claims and determine how much they’ll need to pay the person filling out the form. It considers each party’s best interest and conducts regular research on labor and material market pricing to ensure fairness for everyone involved. Because of the Xactimate software, most insurance claim paperwork will include similar vocabulary.

TIP #2: KNOW YOUR ROOF INSURANCE CLAIM VOCABULARY

This list will help you understand some of the language in your roof insurance claim.

• Line Item Total: The sum of all unit prices for the damage before tax and before general contractor overhead is incorporated, plus the taxes of the material costs.
• General Contractor Overhead or General Contractor Profit: Costs of the contractor’s business operations which typically include coordinating the roofing project, paying the workers, and general business costs.
• Replacement Cost Value (RCV): The total cost, including all line items and general contractor overhead. If there are multiple summaries, you’ll need to add each RCV together to calculate the total cost of repairs (this would be the case if there is damage to multiple buildings on your property). This means your policy will pay the cost to repair or replace your damaged property without deducting depreciation.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV): Your policy will pay the depreciated cost to repair or replace your damaged property.
• Depreciation: Decrease in property value over time, usually due to age, wear and tear, or external factors. Physical depreciation (wear and tear from use) is subtracted from the replacement cost of insured property to determine depreciation.Insurance companies usually calculate depreciation based on the property’s condition when it was lost or damaged, the cost of a new item, and the item’s average lifespan. If you have replacement cost coverage included in your policy, you may be able to receive additional money to cover the depreciation of these items.

• Deductible: The amount of money you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance company will pay on the claim. You’ll only pay a deductible if you file a claim. When the insurance company pays the claim, it will be for the total damage amount minus the deductible.
• Adjuster: A person employed by or under contract with the insurance company professionally trained to assess property damage. Once you file a claim, they’ll inspect the damage to your property. Be sure to point out any damage that might not be obvious to them. The adjuster’s visit and report will not cost you any money.
• Scope of Work: Line-by-line breakdown of each repair or replacement needed made by the adjuster for you, the homeowner. Plan to give your roofing contractor a copy so everyone involved is on the same page!
• Supplement Request: Sometimes, once your contractor begins working on your home, they may find more damages than initially anticipated. This happens to one in three households, so do not fret if it happens to you! Your contractor will handle everything with the adjuster by submitting a Supplement Request on your behalf. The Supplement Request outlines what damages were not on the original scope of work and the funds needed to repair them.
• Total Amount of Claim if Incurred: Dollar amount that the insurance company will pay out to cover your roof damage. This is equal to your RCV minus your plan’s deductible.

TIP #3: BREAK DOWN THE ELEMENTS OF A CLAIM DOCUMENT

You may notice your insurance claim document is divided into certain sections:

1. Claim Summary: Each insurance claim usually begins with a section summarizing damages, their causes, and the estimated cost of repairs. It will look like a title on the page and say something like this: “Summary for Coverage A—Dwelling—Fire.” If other buildings on your property are affected by the damage, they will be called “Coverage B—Storage Shed—Fire.”
2. Line Items: This is a list towards the back of your insurance claim accounting for all jobs and expenses your insurance company covered.
3. Supplemental Items: With projects as complicated as roof repairs and replacement, unexpected extra work is sometimes needed to get your home back into tip-top shape. For example, a partial roof replacement may be necessary due to hail damage, but a total replacement may be necessary if the workers uncover structural rot. These extra jobs are listed in the ‘Supplemental items’ section of your claim.

TURN TO COMITTED 365 FOR INSURANCE HELP

At CoMitted 365, we help our customers at every step, including with their roof insurance claim. We have years of experience in the field and understand just how confusing this process can be! If you feel you’re not getting far working through the paperwork on your own, turn to us for help.

We can answer your insurance questions and work to make sure you get the coverage you deserve. For more information about insurance claims processes and paperwork or to learn more about the roof restoration services we offer, give our team a call.