5 Steps to File a Roofing Insurance Claim

The main reason you purchase a roofing insurance policy is to protect against unforeseen risks that may arise. It does not matter if you install metal roofing or shingles you need protection. These financial risks can put you out of business or seriously damage your personal finances . We will set out a few tips below.

If you keep reading these tips will make sure if you file a claim, you can get any issues resolved quickly. 

In this day and age, you need insurance if you roof. Even the most careful people have accidents and you need insurance for protection.

The following advice will help your insurer pay quickly for any damage that your roofing company may have caused. A roof insurance claim can be rather difficult if the insurance claims are not done appropriately.

Here are five steps you can follow to file a claim with your insurance provider to handle insurance claims. Most insurance companies have the same claims process, but you may need to check with your insurance company to see if they have a different insurance claim process. 

If you fail to follow these procedures, the insurance company may deny coverage. Your business will have to cover the costs of repairs for all the damaged roof sections caused by the roof repairs.

1. Check documents and capture images

The first thing you must do before contacting the insurance adjuster and filing a roof claim is to document everything. Take pictures of the roof issues. Get on the roof and inspect it. Try to gather supporting evidence that any roof damage issues were not caused by your roofing company.

A Roofing contractor is often blamed by a homeowner and Homeowners Insurance Companies for all the damage that exists, even though some of the damage was pre-existing.  Just as there are unscrupulous contractors, there also are homeowners who will attempt to have a contractor or a roofing contractor’s insurance company pay for damages that were not caused by your work. 

Many times they will not want to file homeowners insurance claims. They will try to shift the blame onto the insurance of the roofing contractor so that the insurance claim does not affect their homeowner’s insurance.

Insurance adjusters make come out and investigate storm damage from things like hail damage after a hail storm and wind damage from high winds. Their homeowner’s policy may not cover the cost for the entire roof, or they may only pay actual cash value (the depreciated value) and not the cost of the new roof as a result of the roof damage claim. While other homeowners insurance companies will value the insurance payment at the replacement cost of a new roof.

It is also in contractors’ best interest to make sure that they do a proper inspection of the repair and make sure they do any necessary repairs to prevent further damage after they inspect the area and materials

2. See if you can work something out

The first thing you must do before contacting the insurance adjuster and filing a roof claim is to document everything. Take pictures of the roof issues. Get on the roof and inspect it. Try to gather supporting evidence that any roof damage issues were not caused by your roofing company.

A Roofing contractor is often blamed by a homeowner and Homeowners Insurance Companies for all the damage that exists, even though some of the damage was pre-existing.  Just as there are unscrupulous contractors, there also are homeowners who will attempt to have a contractor or a roofing contractor’s insurance company pay for damages that were not caused by your work. 

Many times they will not want to file homeowners insurance claims. They will try to shift the blame onto the insurance of the roofing contractor so that the insurance claim does not affect their homeowner’s insurance.

Insurance adjusters make come out and investigate storm damage from things like hail damage after a hail storm and wind damage from high winds. Their homeowner’s policy may not cover the cost for the entire roof, or they may only pay actual cash value (the depreciated value) and not the cost of the new roof as a result of the roof damage claim. While other homeowners insurance companies will value the insurance payment at the replacement cost of a new roof.

It is also in contractors’ best interest to make sure that they do a proper inspection of the repair and make sure they do any necessary repairs to prevent further damage after they inspect the area and materials

3. File your claim

If you are not able to work things out, you should file insurance claims with your insurance company. You should notify the insurance company promptly.

Once the claims process is started, you should offer proof to the insurance company. Of the work you did. You should pay particular attention to inspecting areas of the damaged roof that are subject to the claim.

It is also important to know what you are covered for.  There are a number of common claims that are not covered by most insurance companies. You need to know what your insurance company will cover. 

Pro Tip

The best time to find out what your insurance company may cover and does not cover is when you purchase the policy. You need to ask your agent what is covered. You also need to be an educated roofing contractor when buying insurance to find out what is not covered.

There is nothing worse than the surprise of finding out that the type of claim made by a homeowner has no coverage. These amounts will need to be paid from your own pocket

4. Make arrangements for an adjuster’s visit

An adjuster will be assigned to you by your insurance company. You should make necessary arrangements for him to come and assess the damage (Do not forget to give them accurate contact information for your business).

You should schedule a mutually agreeable time for an inspection. You, as the contractor, should be the contact. You should be there when the claims adjuster is there during the inspection. During the visit, the roof and related areas will be inspected to see if the insurance company will pay the claim.

You, as the contractor, did the repair to the roof, so you are the most knowledgeable about the roof claim. You have the ability to point things out on the roof that may determine whether or not an insurance claim is paid.

You should go over with the insurance adjuster what the approved repairs between the contractor and homeowner were. The insurance adjuster will inspect the repair and decide whether there is coverage. If coverage is approved, the claim may be paid. The homeowner may not be satisfied with the amount and should obtain multiple estimates that need to be submitted to the insurance company before a contractor can be hired to repair the roof or even a roof replacement.

5. Do necessary work

As the contractor, you can do the necessary replacement that may be needed. You should also follow up with any items requested by the insurance company regarding their roof inspection.

As a roofer, you should take pride in having roof insurance coverage.  Customers often use social media sites to hire roofing contractors in today’s digital world. If you have negative reviews, it can greatly affect your bottom line.

Showing you have insurance and you care about the work you do will go a long way in making you successful in the Roof Business.

You already know how to roof, so are you ready to learn more about insurance and protect your business? Get in touch with us or get a free quote today!