When a fire or storm damages your roof, you want to feel confident that your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing the damage. However, many insurance claims are denied each year for a variety of reasons. Surprisingly, the insurance company is not always at fault for denying an insurance claim.
Claims may be rejected for various reasons such as delayed claims, premium non-payment, false statements, insufficient documentation, exclusion clauses, or pre-existing conditions due to neglect. A claim rejection can be a shock to a homeowner who is suddenly liable for thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses. If you want to avoid a claim denial, follow these tips to maximize your insurance claim.
Document the Roof Damage
The first action you should take after your roof is damaged is to document the damage. Several types of documentation can verify your claim, including photos, videos, and written notes. If possible, you may even want to gather statements from witnesses. The documentation gives you leverage when dealing with the insurance adjuster.
Make sure you take high-quality photos and videos with plenty of light. Also, be careful when documenting the accident. Avoid hazardous areas or materials that could cause injuries. If you can’t document the damage yourself, you may want to hire a drone company to document the damage for you. Document the damage as soon as possible without delay.
Call a Roofing Contractor First
The single greatest thing you can do to maximize your homeowner’s insurance claim is to get support from a professional roofing contractor in Florida. A roofing contractor can help you with every aspect of assessing and filing your claim, including
- Documenting your roof damage and roof repair
- Itemizing estimates for the scope of work to be completed
- Assisting you with the insurance claim paperwork
- Finding rebates and other incentives such as tax credits
- Communicating directly with the insurance company
Perhaps the most valuable benefit of working with a roofing contractor is that they can verify your insurance claim. A contractor may be able to prevent the insurance adjustor from challenging your claim or citing fraud against you. Before you contact your insurance company, pick up the phone and call your local roofing contractor here in Florida.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Now that the contractor has been able to assess your roof and verify the damage, it is now time to contact your insurance company. You can either contact the insurance company directly or give the contractor authorization to contact them. Whatever you decide, you need to contact the insurance company as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the more difficult it becomes to verify your claim.
When you contact the insurance adjuster, make sure you have all the necessary documentation and policy information on hand. You will need the information readily available when the company asks questions. A good rule of thumb to remember is to share information that is necessary – nothing more. You want to avoid saying anything that could incriminate you or hurt your claim.
Hire a Public Insurance Adjuster
Insurance adjusters are not the criminals that many people make them out to be. However, they represent the insurance company – not you. Therefore, you should not be surprised if they challenge your claim on numerous levels. As such, you may want to hire a public insurance adjuster to assess the roof damage.
There are several benefits to hiring a public insurance adjuster.
- They work for you, not the insurance company.
- They charge lower Fees (10% – 20%) than lawyers (33% – 50%).
- You receive personalized service.
- Most adjusters know insurance policies.
When looking for a public insurance adjuster, make sure you find one with experience assessing roof damage. Make sure you ask for licensing and certification. Also, check the references and reputation in the industry.
Avoid Homeowners Insurance Frauds and Scams
Your roofing contractor can review your insurance policy and help you avoid homeowners’ insurance scams. Your roofer needs to review and understand your insurance claim and policy. This will allow them to see what will and will not be covered, as well as any time limitations. This also helps your roofer avoid inadvertently committing insurance fraud.
Many homeowners have an RCV (replacement cost value) policy. If you have an RCV policy, your insurance company pays for the cost of repairs minus your deductible. Occasionally, some ill-advised homeowners will try to price-shop roofing contractors to avoid paying their deductibles, hoping to have the costs rebated or erased. This is insurance fraud that can land both the roofer and homeowner in trouble. By allowing your roofer to review your insurance claim, your roofer can make sure they bill your insurance company the correct amount and avoid potential charges of fraud.
Professional Roof Replacement in Florida
Whether you have an old roof, or your roof was damaged in a storm, contact Quality Roofing for a professional roof replacement. We offer a range of roofing services, including roofing repair, replacement, and maintenance. Call us today at (850) 753-0041 or fill out the contact form to request a free estimate. We are your premier roofing company in Florida.
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