Filing A Home Insurance Roofing Claim: What To Expect
If your home has experienced roofing damage, you might be wondering whether the repair or replacement costs will be covered by your home insurance. If so, then you'll also need to know what to expect when it comes to filing a claim and getting your necessary repairs taken care of. Fortunately, roofing claims are among the most common, so they're usually pretty straightforward for both the homeowner and the insurance company.
Make Sure You're Covered
The first step you'll need to take is to check your coverage and make sure you fully understand not just whether you're covered, but the extent of your coverage as well. In general, roofing damage tends to be covered by homeowners insurance — but there may be exclusions. The most common types of covered roofing repairs include those related to storm or wind damage; this can include roof leaks caused by falling hail.
If you are covered, however, you'll also want to find out whether your policy covers you for "actual cash value" or "full cash value." With an "actual cash value" policy, your insurance company will only reimburse you for the cost of your roof after depreciation — so if you have an older roof, you may be responsible for more of the repair or replacement costs.
Get a Written Estimate
Always make sure to get a written estimate from a roofing company before you schedule any repairs or roof replacement. Your insurance company will need at least one written estimate in order to reimburse you for the repair/replacement work. Ideally, you'll also want to work with a roofing contractor who has specific experience working with your home insurance company. In some cases, your roofer may be able to bill your insurance directly so that you don't pay any out-of-pocket costs (except for your deductible, if applicable).
Keep Careful Documentation
If you'll be getting reimbursed for your covered roof repair or replacement, be sure to keep detailed documentation of every aspect of the job. From copies of your roof repair estimates to photos of your roof damage, it's always better to have too much documentation than not enough. You'll also need to make sure that you file your formal insurance claim with your agent as promptly as possible so that you can get the ball rolling on your claim.
Dealing with roof damage can be a major headache, but with the right insurance coverage and a little foresight, you can have your roof fixed in no time! For more information about roofing repair, contact a local company, like Columbia Roofing Inc.
