When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Replacements

Usually, our roof is the part of our house that we take for granted since we don’t have to think about it. But the second that you hear the wind outside or gets news of a hurricane coming, your roof is the first thing that comes to mind since it’s the most commonly damaged in harsh weather conditions. Whether it’s a fallen tree, leaks, storms, or even animals crawling around, your roof can tend to take a beating. If you start to notice that there’s damage to your roof, even if it may seem minor at first, you want to immediately take action. The best thing that you can do is start by submitting a homeowners insurance claim so that you’ll have less to pay and you’ll make sure it’s covered by your homeowners insurance. 

One of the most common questions is “does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement” and the answer is that it will usually depend on the specific circumstance. Although homeowners insurance covers the structure of your home, this depends on the situation and it can be more complicated than simply being covered by your policy. It can be hard to understand exactly when your homeowners insurance will cover roof replacements and how to get started with filing a claim and making sure that you’re paying less out of pocket. 

If you’re wondering when and how to get started and if it’s worth it depending on what the situation is, we can help. If you think that you’re ready to file a claim or simply want to know if your homeowners insurance will cover your specific roof replacement, this article is an excellent place to start. Here’s we’ll answer the question of “when does homeowners insurance cover roof replacements” and how you can get started with getting homeowners insurance to pay for a roof replacement. 

When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Replacements?

Homeowners insurance will typically cover your roof and the costs of replacing the damages, but usually, this is only if the damage comes from an act of nature or sudden accident. For instance, if a tree falls on your roof from a storm your homeowners policy will cover it, but if it’s falling apart simply due to the general wear and tear they will not cover it. This is because these are considered the responsibility of the homeowner so they are not eligible for reimbursement from your insurance. 

Typically the exact types of roof damage will vary depending on the policy that you have and its terms. But for the most part, you can go with the general rule that if you have a sudden accident or an act of nature it’s covered by your homeowners insurance. However, it’s always best to check with your insurance company before so that you know exactly what the circumstances are for being reimbursed. It’s also important to know how exactly your roof will be replaced and how they’ll go about ensuring that materials match. 

Filing A Homeowners Insurance Roof Claim 

When you notice that there’s been damage to your roof you want to take instant action by filing a homeowners insurance claim. However, it can often be difficult to know how to start and to know if you’re doing it correctly. You want to make sure that you file the claim correctly because if not, the insurance company may deny your claim due to a mistake that easily could have been corrected. If you want to make sure that your roof damages are paid for then taking the time to learn how to file it correctly pays off. If you’re unsure of where to start and want to make sure you take the right steps, here’s how you can file a homeowners insurance roof claim. 

Know Your Insurance 

The first thing that you want to do when you realize that there’s been damage to your roof is to start by looking at your policy. Before you can file a claim you need to make sure that you know exactly what your policy covers and your roof coverage. This might seem complicated and like a lot of work if you’ve never looked your policy over in depth before, but it can help you with future decisions that you make. The exact coverage that you have will depend on your location, the specific policy that you have, and the cause of the damage. You want to do your research with your policy to make sure that the damage is covered. 

Assess The Damage and Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company 

The next step once you’ve made sure that the damage will be covered by your policy is to make sure that you take plenty of photos to document the damage. Take lots of pictures and make sure that you get them from different angles. After a hurricane, it's advisable to document the damage thoroughly. Take clear, detailed photos from multiple angles and put down notes about the extent of the damage immediately after the storm has passed. This documentation can be invaluable during the claims process to prove that the damage was caused directly by the hurricane. Write down the date and the cause of the damage as well. Then you want to make sure that you know the details about your insurance company and how they ask that you submit a claim. Many companies require you to submit your claim within a specific timeframe so you want to be sure to meet those exact requirements for your insurance company. Be sure to know all the requirements so that you’re not denied by taking too long to file the claim. 

Proceed With Hiring A Roofing Company 

After you’ve submitted your roof insurance claim you can proceed with hiring a roofing company. Do your research and hire the best one that you can find to come out and do an inspection. The roofing company can compile a report to help substantiate your damages and by doing this you’ll increase the chances that you have a fair shot at getting your insurance company to cover your repairs. Even if the insurance company has already sent out an inspector it’s still important that you hire an outside roofing contractor that can come and inspect your home. You want to give yourself the best chance possible at having your claim approved and that means going the extra mile to find the best roofing company to give you an objective and honest opinion on the damage. 

Don’t Fight It Alone 

Insurance companies can often be intimidating, especially to homeowners that are new to experiencing roof damage. Remember that your insurance company’s opinion isn’t necessarily the correct one and that you may not be getting paid fairly for the damages to your home. Insurance companies frequently end up paying less for damages that occur to your home than deserved. Although they might try to convince you that they have the correct opinion, you have a right to be compensated for the damage and it’s important that you fight for what you’re owed. 

This is not a fight that you have to go to alone and it very possible to win. If you feel that you’re not up for the fight alone or that you’re not being fairly compensated by your insurance company, hire a public adjusting firm or claims expert to represent your interests and ensure all affected areas are covered and you are compensated fully and correctly for the damage at hand. 

Our team at United Claims Specialists wants to make sure that you get the maximum payout every time. When it comes to insurance companies you can trust us to negotiate to make sure that you’re compensated fairly for the damage. We’ll send out a professional to the property to assess the damage and make sure that you get treated fairly. Don’t fight it alone, let the team at United Claims Specialists help you to get the biggest payout possible and take care of the hassle that comes with dealing with big and intimidating insurance companies.