Don'ts & Do's of Roofing Claims

What if your house were torn apart by a hurricane and you did not know whether it was insured? It happens more often then you might think. Many homeowners found out that their roofs did not have insurance after Hurricane Harvey. If this sounds like something that could occur to you, or someone close to your family, we recommend you read our blog on Roofing Indemnity Claims Don'ts and Don’ts before you submit any paperwork to your insurer. This guide will show you how to avoid common pitfalls when filing a claim for roofing insurance.

Don't get lost in the paperwork of a claim

It's always all about the paperwork. Are you sure that you have everything necessary to file a claim You need to find the necessary documentation now, so don't wait! Don't forget that insurers will look for reasons to not pay claims. The easiest way to avoid payment denial is to get lost among the paperwork. You should be clear about what you need to include in your roofing claim.

Don't forget to report any loss

You must first report the loss to your insurance before you can file a claims. Do not wait if a storm damages your home or business. Get in touch immediately! This can be a critical step in obtaining the correct roofing insurance payments to cover your loss. There can be confusion as to who is responsible for weather-related property damage. If you don't notify the right people immediately following a storm or firestorm, you may lose valuable time in seeking reimbursements from insurance.

Do not accept delaying tactics

In an effort not to pay customers as much as possible, some insurers may deliberately delay the payment of claims. As we stated earlier, this is why you need to report all loss immediately. In some cases, insurers will use delays to try and persuade your not to file a claim that is covered by the policy. They should not try to trick you into believing your losses are not covered, or that they will pay you less than the actual loss. They have all the cards. But they will only give you time to stack your deck against them.

Evaluate the insurance coverage you have for your property

Before you file an insurance claim, ensure that you are aware of the coverages available for your home and/or company. Your agent can help you find out if your policy does not cover what you need. Although exclusions may not appear obvious in policies, they can make a big difference when filing claims.

You shouldn't skimp on purchasing coverage

Roofing insurance can be vital for your home or business. However, price should not be the only factor that determines what you need and where to put it. If you purchase too little, your loss will likely exceed the limit. It is better that you spend more now to protect yourself and avoid having to pay more in damages if an event happens. By limiting the amount they will pay for certain types of loss, insurers can help you save money on your premiums.

Minor Damage Should Not Be Neglected

Insurers make money by filing claims for non-essential coverage and then letting the minor damages go. Damages to your roof, such as cracks in tiles or damaged gutters are signs that there may be bigger problems. Don't assume you are able to fix these issues on your home. Instead, contact a professional who will help you determine whether you should hire someone to inspect your property and prevent any further water damage.

Keep detailed records

The difference between getting paid well or poorly may be in the accounting of what was actually lost due to a covered incident. A thorough accounting of the damage to items will help you file a profitable, and possibly more lucrative, insurance claim.

Be mindful of your financial requirements when filing a Claim

In some cases, you may be allowed to get full coverage if the deductible is paid and you accept the settlement offer. However this could not be in your best interests if that money is needed for something other than repairs or home improvements. Your insurer wants to settle your claims as cheaply possible. Although they will do their best to compensate all of your losses and cover them, they won’t consider the costs to repair those damages. With these facts in mind, if your insurer isn't offering enough compensation, you can contact an experienced insurance lawyer to protect your rights and seek additional funding.