Possible insurance claim?

Your house and all the valuables inside add up to a big investment that deserves quality protection, which is why choosing the right homeowners insurance is vital. As homeowners across the country have seen recently, damaging storms can mean months of rebuilding.

Homeowners are worried about the possibility of damage from weather and natural disasters, according to a recent Forbes Advisor survey. Part of preparation for storms and disasters is buying the right coverage for your house and belongings. We evaluated large insurers nationwide to help you find the best home insurance.  

The dwelling coverage portion of your homeowners insurance covers the house structure, including the roof.

Types of roof damage covered by your insurance will depend on the policy’s terms and the reasons your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Typically, a policy covers problems that are sudden or accidental, and caused by certain events such as wind, fire, hail or the weight of snow.

In some cases, the lifespan of the roof is shortened because of damage. Your insurer may cover the cost to replace the entire roof even if it’s only partially damaged. For example, if a homeowner has asphalt shingles damaged by hail strikes, an adjuster would count how many strikes occurred in a section to determine the impact on the lifespan of the roof. If there are enough strikes, the roof lifespan is substantially impacted and it needs to be replaced.

“Even if a roof isn’t taking in water right now, the erosion or strikes compromise the lifespan of the roof. This means a roof will never last as long as it should have lasted otherwise, therefore it should be replaced,” 

If the materials to fix your roof are unavailable, your insurance company may have to replace the entire roof. For example, if you have slate tile that you can’t get any more, you may have to replace the entire roof to ensure materials match.

Home insurance companies in past years have been walloped by numerous and expensive roof claims. To combat this, many home insurers have implemented different coverage levels for wind and hail damage vs. roof damage from other causes. You might find that:

• You can buy only “actual cash value” coverage for wind and hail damage if your roof is too old to qualify for replacement value coverage. Your insurance reimbursement will be based on the depreciated value of the roof at the time of the damage. This will take into account the age of the roof and its materials. The upshot is that you could get substantially less money than you need to replace the roof. You’ll have to pay the difference.
• If your roof is newer and in good shape, you may be able to buy roof replacement cost coverage. This will pay you the full amount to get a new roof.

Related: Replacement cost vs actual cash value The replacement cost is the amount paid to replace property or personal belongings without any deduction for depreciation. The actual cash value is the replacement cost value minus depreciation. You may also have the option for replacement cost  

Additionally, since it’s your responsibility to maintain your home, policies don’t cover damage caused by a lack of maintenance. That means repairing your roof due to wear and tear, or replacing it because its lifespan is over, won’t be paid for by insurance.

Lack of maintenance could also come back to bite you after a storm. If your roof was old or not well-maintained before the storm, you could have trouble getting full reimbursement.

Homeowners insurance also won’t cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes, including roof damage. If you live in an area at risk for these disasters, consider flood insurance or earthquake insurance

Have a wood roof? You may pay more for home insurance. For example, Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Nebraska charges 25% more for dwelling coverage if you have a wood roof.

Have a metal roof? Cosmetic damage from hail may not be covered.

Get a better roof than before: Insurance companies usually don’t pay to give you something better than what you had before. But you may be able to buy a “fortified roof endorsement” that will replace your non-fortified roof with a better one if the entire roof requires replacement. Fortified roofs are made to meet standards set by the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

The insurance deductible is the amount you must pay for repairs before your insurance company covers the rest of the cost.

In some states, insurers can have a special deductible for wind and hail damage from hurricanes. So if your roof blows off in a hurricane, you may find you have a higher deductible. The regular deductible still applies to other types of damage, such as a fire.

Usually homeowners want good and broad coverage for their homes. But wind and hail is a different ballgame in many states. Insurers pass along the costs of past wind and hail claims to current homeowners. You may be able to choose to exclude wind and hail from coverage from your policy in the interest of saving money.

For example, State farm offers these choices:

• Exclude windstorm or hail damage that may occur during a hurricane.
• Amend a policy with an endorsement that changes what’s covered during a hurricane.
• Add a separate deductible for damage caused by a windstorm or hail.

Looking to file a roof claim with your insurance company? Here’s how to go about it.

The first good step in making a roof claim is to try to understand your policy. There’s no point going to battle for coverage that you never had. For example, is the roof damage actually covered, or did you choose to exclude wind and hail damage? Is your coverage for replacement cost or actual cash value?

If you suspect there is roof damage from a storm, inspect your entire home, not just the roof. You’ll want to know the scope of the damage when you contact your insurer to start a claim.

Get an estimate for repair based on what you had, not on how you want to change things. Don’t rely on the adjuster to determine the repair cost of the roof. Make sure to get a written estimate on a roofing company’s letterhead with the company’s contact information.

Time is of the essence when dealing with a roof claim. “The longer a roof sits with damage, the more weather and dirt makes it less obvious what the damage is since it looks like wear and tear,”

What starts out as a seemingly simple claim could blow up into a nightmare. You’ll be glad if you kept records from the start, including photos, who you spoke to when and what they told you.

Any damage to your home could be cause for alarm. Roofs especially serve a vital purpose of protecting the dwelling from the elements. Here’s what to do if your roof gets damaged.

If a tornado rips through your neighborhood and tears part of your roof off, protect your home from further damage. In fact, preventing further damage when possible is often a requirement in homeowners policies, and further damage may not be covered. You may need to put up a tarp while you alert your insurer.

Insurance companies are businesses and may not have your best interests in mind when it comes to paying out roof damage claims. If you’re not doing a good job of explaining what they should be paying you, they have no fiduciary obligation.

You’re entitled to fair trade pricing, so make sure you have a solid repair estimate. If you have a large or complicated claim, consider hiring a public adjuster to work on your behalf.

If you get multiple estimates, your insurance company will want to see all of them and may only accept the lowest one. The lowest estimate may not be the best quality.

Research materials that will be more durable than your current roof. Your insurance company might be willing to offer a discount for impact-resistant roofing. Check with the insurer on roof material discounts before you make a final pick.

Roof repair scams often increase in the aftermath of large storms. These scams have been a major problem in florida are a factor in increasing home insurance costs in the state.

People looking to prey on vulnerable homeowners might go around the neighborhood offering quick repairs and telling you that they detected roof damage that you can’t see. Watch out for:

• Insisting on big payments upfront: If a contractor wants more than 10% or $1,000 down, be wary. Laws often say that contractors can’t require larger deposits for home improvement contracts.
• Check licensing: While not all states require a roofing license, it’s wise to work with a licensed contractor so you know they meet proper professional standards.